Combating Loneliness in Seniors

Home Care Blog>In Home Care  |  January 15, 2020

Combating Loneliness in Seniors

How are we combating loneliness in seniors? | Many seniors – especially those who live alone – might find themselves feeling lonely. Seniors who are unable to get out by themselves may feel especially alone. Loneliness can affect a senior’s physical health as well as their mental health. In fact, loneliness can impact or even contribute to some health conditions, such as depression, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Luckily, there are ways to combat loneliness.

If you or your loved one has been feeling lonely, here are some ways to start feeling better:

Make Transportation Available

One of the best ways to promote socializing and combat loneliness is by having a method of transportation for your senior. One way to do this is to have an in-home caregiver or transportation service provide rides to and from places. If your loved one lives near family, have family members take turns providing transportation. These family members can even attend the social event with your senior.

Consider a Pet

A pet is a great way to bring some purpose and responsibility into one’s life. If they’re interested, encourage your loved one to get a pet – whether it be a dog, a cat, or even a hamster. Many people find that having a pet improves their quality of life. Visiting a local shelter can be a great outing too.

Host a Get-Together

If your loved one could use some company, have them host a get together in their home! This can be a fun way to socialize. They can plan out what kind of food they want to have and what sort of activities they’ll do. If they don’t want to do it at their home, a get-together at a local restaurant or attraction can be a great way to get out of the house and spend time with friends.

Learn a New Hobby

Along with loneliness often comes boredom. If your loved one needs something new to do, suggest a hobby for them to try. What’s great about hobbies is there is a social element to many of them. For example, your senior could join a choir, learn Tai Chi or yoga, learn to knit or crochet, or learn how to play bridge. This will give them something to look forward to and a new way to meet friends.

Use or Learn More About Technology

While some may think that the internet is just for young people, many seniors use the internet to meet friends and to learn new things. For example, your loved one could join a social media group about their favorite hobby, or join a website for seniors who are looking for friends or relationships. You might be surprised at how many seniors are active online. And if your loved one doesn’t have much experience using the internet, teaching them can be a great bonding moment.

Implement one or a few of these tips and help your loved one improve their quality of life today.

Comfort Keepers^® Calgary Can Help Seniors Combat Loneliness

At Comfort Keepers^®, we create individual care plans for every client. These plans include wellness goals that consider physical, mental and emotional health. Our caregivers can help support physician-prescribed diet and exercise plans, provide medication reminders, provide transportation to appointments and help seniors engage in the activities they love the most. And, our caregivers can help senior stay connected with loved ones through video chats, phone calls and care updates. We believe that every senior should experience the best in life.

Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.

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