Six Ways In-Home Care Services Can Help Reduce Senior Isolation
Learn how home care services can help reduce senior isolation.
Isolation. Loneliness. Fear. The pandemic has wreaked havoc on us all in one way or another, but for the elderly in particular, the seclusion required to ensure safety from COVID-19 has had detrimental effects on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Morning Glory Home Care, a Highland senior care and home care services provider throughout the surrounding areas, shares the steps we are able to take in order to help reduce senior isolation and retain the social connections that are so vital to their health and wellbeing.
Safe socialization. While we’ve become familiar with the phrase “social distancing,” it is not the socialization itself we must distance ourselves from, of course, but only the physical proximity to others. Staying socially connected during the pandemic may not look the same as we’d like without physical touch, but there are plenty of ways an in-home caregiver can help encourage seniors to still be near to those they love. Whether a senior prefers old-fashioned phone calls and letter writing, or is open to making use of social media or technology for virtual face-to-face conversations, we are able to help older adults stay in touch with others often.
Optimizing time with trusted companions. For older adults who live alone, spending quality time with an in-home caregiver will help immensely with easing feelings of isolation. We take time to play board games, have conversations, bake, do arts and crafts together, maybe even take an online course together to learn a new language or another skill.
Limiting exposure to the news. While it is essential to stay up to date regarding the latest facts about the pandemic along with other news items of concern, an excessive amount of time spent reading or watching the news is bound to raise an older adult’s anxiety and stress levels. Our care providers encourage older adults to set practical goals relating to news intake: perhaps one half-hour news program in the morning, and another at dinnertime, and fill the remainder of the day with positive television shows, reading materials, and other engaging activities.
Practicing positivity. Considering the various “what ifs” can be overwhelming. We help older adults shift their thinking to a much more positive mindset and internal dialogue through mindfulness, prayer, gratitude, guided yoga or meditation, or even encouraging seniors to devote time to speaking with a particular friend or family member who has an approach of constantly looking on the bright side.
Enjoying nature. Being outdoors in and of itself diminishes stress and anxiety; our caregivers safely help seniors enjoy walks along with other types of exercise for an extra calming effect. We are also careful to strictly follow safety guidelines – staying apart from others, wearing a face covering, etc.
Helping someone else. There’s no better elixir to feeling down than helping somebody else up. Even while remaining at home, there are plenty of ways older adults make a difference in the lives of others. Together, we can brainstorm ideas related to a senior’s particular passions and interests; for example, writing and mailing cards of encouragement to nursing home residents, putting together care packages for the disabled or homeless veterans, making baby blankets for an area organization that assists single mothers, or baking homemade dog treats to send to the animal shelter.