Social isolation can really sneak up on aging adults. They may not realize at first that they’re spending a lot more time alone, until suddenly they feel lonely and cut off from the people they might normally interact with on a regular basis. Companion care at home is an easy and customizable solution that addresses issues with social isolation and also boosts mental health. But how does social isolation affect mental health for aging adults?
Seniors May Spend More Time Aimlessly
Sometimes seniors may not realize the underlying issue. They might mention to family members that they just don’t know where their days are going or that they can’t decide what they want to do. This often means that seniors spend their time doing things that aren’t meaningful for them, like binge-watching television without intending to do so.
They Can Avoid Hygiene Tasks
Social isolation can also cause seniors to avoid hygiene tasks that they normally found to be no problem, like taking a shower or even just getting out of their pajamas. This can happen because seniors just don’t feel that hygiene is important if they’re not going to see anyone. But they also may be depressed, which makes it more difficult for them to keep up with even simple hygiene tasks.
They May Spend More Time Worrying
When seniors don’t get the social interaction they need, they might put a lot more energy toward worrying. This is especially possible when family members and friends live far away and seniors aren’t able to keep in touch as much as they would like. Those worries can build, turning into anxiety and causing other health issues. Spending time with companion care at home can help seniors to let go of those worries, because it’s easier to remember that life gets busy and seniors have other activities to keep their brains active.
Seniors Often Skip Meals
Another problem seniors run into when they’re not getting the social engagement they need and want is that they might skip more meals. It’s extremely common for seniors to be social eaters without realizing that they are. Eating alone can feel so painful emotionally that seniors want to avoid that discomfort and so they either snack or just avoid eating. Companion care at home can help with preparing meals, but they can also serve as companions during meals, keeping seniors engaged while they eat healthy meals.
Depression Is Common with Social Isolation
There might be a lot of different factors that go into social isolation for seniors, but a common result is depression. Over time, seniors feel worse and worse. They may not speak up about their social needs and other issues can start to add up for them. Eventually, they start to feel depressed. Recognizing what’s going on is the first step in helping aging adults meet their emotional needs and reverse issues like depression.
Social isolation is often a side effect of aging in place. Seniors can still age in place, and with tools like companion care at home, they can also avoid feeling isolated and lonely.
If you or an aging loved one are considering companion care at home in The Heights, TX for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (713) 231-5640.
At Your Side Home Care, provides exceptional home care assistance for seniors and families in Houston, West Houston, Katy, Memorial, The Heights, Spring Valley, Garden Oaks, Hunters Creek, River Oaks, Hilshire Village, Galleria, Cinco Ranch, Spring Branch, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenburg, Piney Point, Bay City and surrounding areas.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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