Loneliness and Isolation Can Affect Senior Health

Blog  |  June 1, 2020

Senior Loneliness and Isolation | For seniors, maintaining social connections and staying in touch with loved ones not only improves the quality of life, but it also improves health. Socially isolated seniors have a 59% greater risk of mental and physical decline than those who do not experience social isolation, and socialization has been shown to slow Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients’ decline.

According to Statistics Canada, 5 million people (25% of the population) who are aged 65 and older, now live alone, and over 40% of women over 80 live alone. By taking intentional steps to reduce isolation and reduce lack of contact, overall well-being is also improved.

Senior Loneliness and Isolation | How to Foster Connection

• Social Media – Facebook, Instagram, and other social media sites can help seniors stay connected to friends and family across the country. And, many social media platforms have built-in chat functions, games, and other features that foster connection.
• Togetherness Activities – For older adults, planning activities reduce the lack of contact. This can be in-person, when possible, or through video chat and phone calls. Virtual or in-person activities can include good conversation, cooking and eating together, reading together, playing games, scrapbooking, or listening to music. And, studies show that planning and looking forward to an event can have mental health benefits too!
• Online Interaction – Seniors may enjoy virtual meetups, online worship services, Facebook trivia night, virtual communities focused on hobbies, and other online activities that can help people connect to others in their community without leaving home. For those that are able to go out, sharing hobbies and activities with others can bring joy and connection.
• Virtual Volunteers – For seniors looking for a sense of purpose, there are opportunities to volunteer to help others from the comfort of home. This can include building Easter baskets for children’s charities, sewing quilts for shelters, writing cards for military service members overseas and other activities that allow people to do good work in their free time.

Isolation and loneliness can be signs that a senior lacks the support and tools needed to live a healthy, independent life. However, with planning and deliberate action, fostering positive relationships and connections can be incredibly rewarding for everyone involved.

Comfort Keepers® Georgian Triangle – Leaders in Family-Focused Personal Health Care

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help. Comfort Keepers®’s trained caregivers help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

What’s more, our trained caregivers are selected with one specific quality in mind: empathy. Care that is empathetic is care that starts in the heart, and it allows us to meet our client’s exact needs. Learn more about our unique service offering Dementia Care and Palliative Care by contacting the Comfort Keepers Georgian Triangle office.

Comfort Keepers Georgian Triangle, is pleased to announce that we are a recipient of Accreditation Canada’s, Accreditation Primer Award. Accreditation is an intensive process in which an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures are examined by industry experts against a set of quality standards. To achieve accredited status, Comfort Keepers offices met or exceeded the rigorous standards for Home Care companies, as defined by Accreditation Canada. 

If you live in the Collingwood, Midland, Owen Sound area, contact Comfort Keepers at (705) 293-5553, or email us at georgiantriangle@comfortkeepers.ca. Comfort Keepers Georgian Triangle is here to help you and your loved ones get the best care possible.

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References:

Statistics Canada.  “Living Arrangements of Seniors”. Web.  2018.

Forbes. “Technology can help the lonely elderly endure social distancing” Web. 2020.

Journal of Aging Research. “use of Physical and Intellectual Activities and Socialization in the Management of Cognitive Decline of Aging and in Dementia”. Web. 2012.

Psychology Today. “How to Help Older Adults Fight Loneliness During COVID-19”. Web. 2020.

Caring.com. “Senior Loneliness: The Risks of Loneliness and Senior Neglect” by Melanie Haiken. Web. 2015

Forbes. “Are Social Determinants the Missing Key to Improving Health?” Web. 2018

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