Seniors who choose to live independently need to take steps to make sure that they aren’t too lonely at home. When seniors get older and have a hard time getting out of the house, they can quickly become isolated and lonely. Even if you visit your mom or dad when you can, or if other family members do, that may not be enough to prevent your mom or dad from being lonely at home. Companion care at home is the best solution for seniors who are aging in place. With companion care at home your mom or dad will get regular visits from a companion who will come to their home specifically to spend time with them.
A companion will do things like make and share meals with your mom or dad to encourage them to eat. They can also help your mom or dad learn new hobbies, do fun activities, read to them, and just sit and talk.
Having companion care at home can help your mom or dad avoid the physical and emotional effects of loneliness like:
Increased Risk of Depression and Anxiety
Loneliness often leads to feelings of sadness, which can develop into depression over time. When your senior parent spends too much time alone, they may dwell on negative thoughts or memories. Lack of social engagement can also make it harder for them to feel motivated or find joy in daily activities.
Your mom or dad could start to worry more about their health, safety, or future when they spend a lot of time alone at home. Having regular visits from a companion can give your mom or dad someone to talk with about their feelings so that they don’t get so scared or anxious about the future.
Weakened Immune System
Being lonely can actually weaken your mom or dad’s immune system. Studies show that people who feel isolated tend to have lower immune responses. This makes it harder for your mom or dad to fight off infections, colds, or other illnesses.
Loneliness can create stress, and chronic stress wears down the immune system over time. This can lead to more frequent illnesses or a slower recovery when they do get sick. When your senior parent feels connected and supported, they will be healthier.
Increased Risk of Heart Disease
Loneliness puts stress on the body, and this stress can raise blood pressure and increase inflammation. Both of these factors are closely linked to heart disease.
When your parent feels isolated, they may experience these physical effects even if they try to live a healthy lifestyle. Over time, high blood pressure and inflammation can lead to serious heart conditions, like heart attacks or strokes.
Having social connections can lower these risks, but loneliness can silently harm heart health.
Impaired Cognitive Function
Isolation can also negatively impact your parent’s mind. When seniors are lonely, they are less likely to engage in stimulating activities that keep their brains active.
Socializing helps improve memory, critical thinking, and cognitive skills. Without regular social interactions, your parent’s memory and focus may begin to decline.
Research has shown that loneliness can increase the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in seniors. Staying mentally sharp requires regular mental stimulation, which is harder to get when they’re alone.
If you or an aging loved one is considering companion care at home in Hinsdale, IL, please contact the caring staff at Suburban Home Care today at (630) 964-9000.
There are several great reasons why Suburban Home Care® should be your choice for quality homecare. All of our Certified Nursing Assistants and Home Health Aides are screened, trained, bonded and insured.
Every family needs to be aware that almost every Homeowner’s insurance policy specifically excludes anyone working within your home. If the person you hire becomes injured while working for you, you will become personally responsible for all of their medical bills. This has left several families very vulnerable when their caregiver injured themselves at their home.
The potential to lose everything you have worked so hard to achieve seems an unnecessary risk. Every one of Suburban Home Care®’s employees are completely covered by insurance so you and your loved ones can relax knowing that if something unforeseen happens to your caregiver, they are completely covered by insurance.
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