Loneliness and Your Aging Parent: Understanding Why Companionship is so Vital
Senior Care in Lowell MI: Understanding Why Companionship is so Vital
Companionship is vital to any aging adult. Studies link being alone to multiple health issues. Is your parent lonely? Here are some of the reasons it’s important to make companionship part of your overall senior care goals.
Studies Link Poor Health to Loneliness
Dr. Renee Meyer and Dr. Dean Schulyer wrote about the detrimental effects of loneliness in the elderly. Using the results of a three-year study, they found loneliness directly impacted how aging adults rated their overall health. Some of the issues seniors linked to loneliness included lack of mobility, lessened motor function, and an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Increased Risk of Depression
If your mom or dad feel lonely, they are more likely to begin showing signs of depression. A study found that people lacking routine companionship and dealing with loneliness were more likely to show signs of stress and depression. You need to watch closely for signs of depression, such as that your parent isn’t staying in bed and refusing to get up and proceed with normal daily routines.
Is Your Parent at Risk?
Many older adults feel lonely. In a Canadian study of seniors over the age of 64, 20 percent stated they felt lonely. For men and women over the age of 84, loneliness increased to 25 percent. Many factors play into the risk of becoming lonely. You’re likely busy with your job and your own spouse/significant other and any children you have. You may live miles away and cannot visit regularly. Your parent’s friends and associates may have moved to another state for retirement or even passed away. Your parent may have vision issues or problems with reaction times that prevent him or her from driving anymore. All of this puts an aging adult at risk of becoming lonely.
What Can You Do?
Regular calls to your aging parent can help stem some feelings of loneliness, but it’s not likely to be enough. Hire an in-home senior care professional to help provide companionship. Even if it’s for a few hours a day, it will help. Adopting a dog or cat is another option to ensure your parent has a companion around all the time. Studies have found that owning a pet benefits your health through reduced blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Talk to an in-home senior care provider about the flexibility available with these services. Caregivers can visit every day or just a few days a week. This makes it easy to ensure your parent never feels lonely, while also having benefits like transportation to activities and for running errands.
If you or someone you know needs help with senior care in Lowell, MI, contact Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services in our community. Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3184599/
http://psycnet.apa.org/?&fa=main.doiLanding&doi=10.1037/0882-7974.21.1.140
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-003-x/2012004/article/11720-eng.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/health-benefits/
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