Loneliness Archives - Golden Heart Summerlin

Are There Signs of Loneliness and Social Isolation in Seniors?

Posted on May 10, 2024 by ltcep2023

Humans are social beings, although the individual needs do vary in terms of how much socialization is right for each person. When aging adults aren’t getting enough social interaction, there are signs, even if they might seem a bit subtle. Family caregivers can stay alert for these indications, which then allows them to put solutions in place, like bringing in companion care at home to spend time with seniors.

Physical Signs

Sometimes physical signs are the easiest ones to spot in aging adults. Seniors might experience changes in appetite or weight loss that they didn’t intend. Unfortunately, changes in eating habits can quickly lead to malnutrition, so this needs to get addressed quickly. Other physical signs might include reduced energy levels or fatigue. Some seniors may also start to neglect their personal hygiene or their appearance might change.

Cognitive Signs

For some seniors, loneliness and social isolation cause cognitive symptoms. That might look like confusion or forgetfulness that have increased over time. Or seniors might have trouble concentrating, making decisions, or solving problems. Sometimes seniors don’t realize they’re not getting enough social engagement and start to worry that these signs are related to true memory problems or cognitive illnesses like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Resolving the emotional issues, like the loneliness, helps to reverse these symptoms.

Emotional Signs

Many aging adults experience the emotional symptoms of isolation and loneliness. Some of these look very much like depression, including persistent sadness, irritability, or mood swings. Seniors may also appear less interested in hobbies or activities that they usually love engaging in. These signs often appear because seniors are frustrated by how they’re feeling and how much they miss social interactions.

Tips for Family Caregivers

Family caregivers are already doing so much. In fact, it’s so easy to overlook some of these signs when family caregivers are balancing caring for seniors with other obligations, like a career and caring for others. Taking the time to regularly communicate with seniors and really stop to listen can help. Non-verbal cues may say a lot more than seniors will verbally, too. It can be tough for anyone to admit that they’re lonely and that they need more companionship.

Companion Care at Home Can Help

Home care services are a great way to offer seniors hands-on assistance with tasks. But if what seniors primarily need is companionship, then companion care at home is the better solution. Companion caregivers drop in to visit with aging adults, spending time with them engaging in hobbies, building meaningful connections, and just talking with seniors. This is a powerful way for seniors to get the emotional support and social engagement that they have been missing. These visits can happen on a timetable that suits the aging adult, making it convenient for them and their needs.

Recognizing that there’s something missing is the truly important first step in solving the problem of social isolation. Companion care at home offers personalized emotional and social support, helping seniors to reduce their loneliness and isolation and promoting a fulfilling life.

If you are considering companion care at home in Summerlin, NV for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616.

4 Ways To Cheer Seniors Up This Holiday Season

Posted on December 2, 2022 by Craig Bass

Elder Care in Las Vegas NV

During the holidays, seniors may feel sadder than usual, especially when their family members live far away. If your senior is going to be alone this holiday season, consider these ideas to help boost their mood and holiday spirit.

Video Chat

Video chats may not be quite the same as a visit but they are a lovely way to spend time with a senior loved one. Your senior parent will really enjoy getting to see you and your family for the holidays even if it’s through a screen. You will be able to see how your senior parent is doing and make sure that they look healthy. You should be able to video chat with your senor parent on any smart phone so as long as they have a smart phone or a tablet video chat are possible. You can also video chat through services like Facebook.

Send Treats

Another way to cheer up a senior parent during the holidays is to send treats. Many seniors won’t treat themselves to things like fresh fruit, decadent chocolates, or delicious sausages, crackers, and breads. But you can send gift baskets full of fabulously extravagant treats that your senior loved one can enjoy. There are even options to send delicious foods that meet dietary restrictions if your senior loved one has a special dietary need like they don’t eat sugar because they have diabetes. Fresh fruit is always a popular gift for seniors because it’s healthy and delicious.

Give The Gift Of Elder Care

Elder care is another way that you can surprise your senior loved one this holiday season. Elder care is the gift that keeps on giving throughout the year. When seniors have elder care they have a companion that visits regularly as well as someone to help with things like cleaning, laundry, and cooking meals. When seniors have elder care they are getting the help they need to thrive at home where they can live happily in the home they love. What better gift is there than that?

Make A Surprise Visit

Of course, what your senior parent really wants is to see you. But that’s not always possible during the holidays. Weather, other obligations, and responsibilities like work can make it impossible to travel during the holidays. But you can surprise your loved one with a visit at another time. You don’t have to only visit during the holidays. Start planning a surprise trip to your senior parent’s home now so that you can get the best deals on travel. And then just show up for a birthday, a special day, or for no reason at all. Your senior parent will be overjoyed to see you and get to spend some quality time with you.

If you are considering elder care in Las Vegas, NV, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616.

Did You Know Senior Care Can Help Ease Loneliness and Isolation?

Posted on June 4, 2021 by Craig Bass

Senior Care in Las Vegas NV

Approximately one out of every three Americans aged 45 or older feel lonely. It gets worse. One out of four Americans aged 65 or older is socially isolated due to retirement, friends or family moving away, chronic health conditions, or hearing loss.

Loneliness and isolation are concerning at any age. If your mom and dad are lonely or isolated, it can impact their mental and physical health. Learn more about the risks of regular isolation and loneliness.

What the Studies Show

Several studies have linked social isolation and loneliness to a higher risk of chronic health conditions. One study found that people with limited social interactions had a 32 percent higher risk of stroke and 29 percent higher risk of heart disease. People with heart failure who were socially isolated had a higher risk of hospitalization or death.

Similar studies have shown that people who are lonely and isolated have a higher risk of developing dementia. That risk is almost 50 percent higher.

Tips for Engaging Socially

When you are lonely and isolated, it can be hard to find ways to become more social. After retirement, it’s easy to fall out of the habit of seeing friends. You don’t have to leave home. Plus, people move on to new states for better weather or a lower cost of living. Your parents have a smaller social circle for that reason.

You need them to become more engaged, but how do you make it happen? Start by getting them to find things that interest them. Your mom loves swimming. Look at local pools and see if any offer water aerobics classes. She would do something fun and meet others with similar interests at the same time.

Volunteering is another way for your parents to make new friends and become social. Your dad enjoys reading, so see how he feels about volunteering at his local library. Your mom enjoys flowers. She could volunteer to deliver flower arrangements to patient rooms at the hospital. A senior care provider can accompany your senior to volunteer assignments or simply offer transportation to and from them.

Maybe your parents would do well at the local community center. If they attend various social events, they’d be around others their age doing fun things like going to a local restaurant, taking a fitness class, or learning how to cook. Luncheons, dances, and movie nights are other popular activities at community centers.

Have Companions Come to Them

As soon as you suspect your parents feel lonely or isolated, it’s time to talk about senior care services. Caregivers can stop by to play games, socialize, or watch a movie with them. Arrange senior care as often as your parents would like to have someone visiting.

Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/lonely-older-adults.html#
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557972/

If you or an aging loved one is considering senior care in Las Vegas, NV, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616.

Tag: Loneliness