According to the National Institute on Aging, 13.8 million older adults in the United States live alone. This can lead to loneliness and social isolation. Because humans are wired to be social creatures, when seniors don’t spend enough time interacting with other people, it can lead to physical and mental health problems.

Social isolation increases the risks of health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. It also puts seniors at greater risk for depression and anxiety. Not to mention that being lonely can just make your aging relative unhappy. If you have an older family member who lives alone, consider contacting an elder care agency to hire an elder care provider to visit them a few times each week. There are several things elder care providers can do to prevent your loved one from getting lonely. Below are just 3 things an elder care provider can do.

#1: Offer Conversation and Companionship

Just by having an elder care provider come to the older adult’s house, the senior receives an automatic point of social interaction. An elder care provider can simply keep them company for an hour or two, chatting, playing a game, or enjoying a movie together. Elder care providers can also be someone the older adult can reminisce with, sharing stories of their younger days and looking through picture albums, which can help them to remember happy times from their lives and pass them on to someone else.

#2: Go on Outings

Elder care providers can help seniors to get out of the house. An elder care provider can assist them to get ready to go out and drive them to places they enjoy. They could drive them to a park to watch birds and sit in the fresh air for a while, which, of course, could lead to a conversation with a passerby. Elder care providers can also take them to museums or out to lunch where they will have the chance to interact with other people. There’s really no limit to places in the community that elder care providers can take your aging relative.

#3: Meet with Friends

Being housebound means that your older family member may not be able to go out to see their friends. Perhaps they are missing their once-weekly coffee date with a group of friends at the local café. Or, they might be unable to go to groups and studies at their place of worship, perhaps an activity they once enjoyed. An elder care provider can drive the senior over to a friend’s house or to their weekly coffee meeting. They can also take the older adult to their place of worship for services or to join in on group activities.

The staff at Home Care Matters is available to talk with you and your family about all of your needs. Home Care Matters is a home care agency providing quality and affordable Home Health Care in Cumming, GA, and surrounding areas. Call (678) 828-2195 for more information.

Sources

Nia.nih.gov

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Valerie Darling

Founder, Owner at Home Care Matters

Valerie was born in Miami, FL and after a few family moves, grew up locally in the Marietta, GA area.Valerie is the oldest of 4 (3 younger brothers).She is married and has one child.Valerie is the Founder, Owner and CEO of Home Care Matters.Valerie’s mom, Dee, is the inspiration and primary driver as the how and why the business was born.Valerie says, “My mom is never far from our thoughts.Mom was an integral part of developing and starting HCM before she passed away.Our goal is to stay true to her memory and continue to honor her with the love, values, and ethics she taught us.”

Valerie has the unique experience with home care as she has experienced it from both ends of the spectrum, as a caregiver and as needing care herself as a cancer survivor. Valerie says, “Taking care of someone you love is a physically, mentally and demanding labor of love.Taking care of my mom was the hardest thing I have ever done. It has given me an insight and perspective not many people understand unless you are doing it or have done it.I loved taking care of my mom.I love helping others take care of their love ones too.And now that I’ve been sick, it’s given me a whole new level of empathy and understanding for those who are sick and need help.”

Valerie’s schedule varies daily, but she loves visiting with our clients, families, caregivers, our network partners and being in the office.Says Valerie, “Every day is different, but I wake up excited about what we do, inspired by our team, clients and caregivers.I strive to be a resource to the community.I love my team and I love what we do every day. I like to think my mom would be proud.”

You can reach Valerie by email (Valerie@homecarematters.com) or in our office (770.965.4004).

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