It’s common for seniors to withdraw from social activities as they age due to issues such as limited mobility, poor vision, and memory loss. However, being social can help seniors enhance their cognitive skills and overall quality of life. Take a look at some of the ways you can help your senior loved one prevent isolation.
Encourage Better Grooming & Hygiene
Many seniors shy away from social activities because they’re embarrassed by their appearance. Help your loved one with grooming and laundry if he or she has difficulty with these daily tasks. Compliment your loved one on his or her appearance from time to time instead of pointing out what’s wrong.
Although you should always promote a positive body image, you should also encourage good hygiene and grooming to help your loved one maintain a neat appearance. Looking and feeling good could boost your loved one’s self-esteem and confidence, leading to more social interaction.
For families living in Oklahoma City, Respite Care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Lifestar Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
Suggest Getting a Pet
Loneliness is one of the main factors pertaining to isolation among older adults. Encourage your loved one to become a pet owner. Having a dog or cat to take care of could provide companionship during the days he or she decides to stay at home instead of going out into the community.
Your loved one can maintain a sense of purpose when caring for the pet each day. Taking the pet on walks through the park can provide the exercise your loved one needs, and it also offers the chance to interact with other pet owners in the community. Your loved one can bond and develop friendships with the other animal lovers, staving off isolation.
Consider hiring a professional caregiver if your loved one needs help caring for a pet and keeping isolation at bay. Homecare services professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.
Make Transportation More Accessible
If your loved one no longer drives, it may be difficult to remain active in the community, and he or she might withdraw from social gatherings. However, making transportation more accessible can provide more opportunities for socialization and reduce the risk of isolation.
Some organizations offer transportation services for seniors, whether they need rides to the grocery store, the doctor’s office, or senior-friendly events. Make sure your loved one always has transportation available by contacting these organizations within the community. Your family can also develop a schedule and take turns providing transportation for your loved one throughout the week, or you could hire a professional caregiver to provide transportation.
Propose Joining Senior-Friendly Organizations
It’s normal for older adults to withdraw from social activities due to cognitive decline. Help your loved one find senior-friendly organizations to join and age-appropriate activities to participate in. Find activities that can be tailored to your loved one’s cognitive abilities, such as volunteering, crafting, or taking art classes.
Hiring a professional caregiver is another way to prevent your loved one from spending his or her days alone. Home Care Oklahoma City providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Lifestar Home Care are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To learn about our customizable in-home care plans, call us at (405) 288-9275 today.