Companion Care at Home Helps Prevent Loneliness for Seniors
Author: Home Helpers Home Care
Companion Care in Palo Alto, CA and Surrounding Areas
Aging adults face a lot of challenges as they grow older, but one of the most hidden difficulties could be loneliness. Seniors who age in place alone can find it more difficult to engage with friends, family, and other people they care about for a variety of reasons. Loneliness has huge implications on mental and physical health for seniors. Companion care at home is an easy way for families to help seniors to get the socialization that they need to avoid loneliness.
Loneliness Is a Growing Issue for Seniors
According to the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging, slightly more than one out of three aging adults feel lonely and isolated. Understandably, seniors experiencing bigger health challenges or disabilities are more likely to feel lonely and isolated. The reasons for this may vary from losing loved ones to feeling disconnected because of changes in social circles.
Companion Caregivers Foster Connections
Companion care at home is all about making sure that seniors get the companionship they’re lacking. Seniors are better able to engage in meaningful conversations and activities that improve their quality of life. Interacting with other people on a regular basis helps to build a sense of belonging and can be incredibly reassuring for aging adults who are suddenly spending too much time alone.
They Encourage Activities
Spending time with other people has another interesting side effect. Seniors are more likely to engage in activities they enjoy when they have someone to do those things with them. Companion caregivers can play games with seniors, enjoy hobbies with them, and try new activities. For many aging adults, it’s easier to be more active with other people around.
They Promote Social Engagement
Companion caregivers can also help seniors to be more socially active in other ways. They might help seniors to safely get out and about to classes or community events, for instance. Spending time with companion caregivers may also inspire seniors to reach out to other people in other ways, too. Having positive experiences with lots of different people helps seniors to break through the discomfort they might feel from reaching out.
Companions Offer Emotional Support
The biggest difference for seniors between companion care at home and home care is that home care offers help with daily tasks. Companion caregivers aren’t there to help with tasks because their main focus is spending time with seniors and helping them to get the social engagement they need. Spending time with companion caregivers can help to improve mental health, improve quality of life, and allow seniors to feel more independent than they might have felt in the past. Companion caregivers can also help family caregivers to stay up to date about what is going on with their aging family members.
Feeling lonely is something that most people battle, but seniors tend to face this issue far more often than other demographics do. Companion care at home offers support in dealing with issues around isolation and loneliness. Seniors have someone to spend time with who understands the challenges that seniors battle.
If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring companion care at home in Palo Alto, CA, please contact the caring staff at Home Helpers today (408) 317-4969.