Recent research indicates that there’s an unexpectedly strong connection between social needs and health—even longevity. Four out of five physicians (85 percent) in one survey reported that unmet social needs contribute directly to worsening health. The doctors reported that a patient’s social needs are equally important to deal with as their medical issues.
Your aging parent’s physician cannot cure your aging parent’s isolation and loneliness by writing a prescription. Overcoming such emotional challenges can be challenging for seniors, especially if they live on their own. As seniors grow older, they often lose contact with others due to specific situations that limit or prohibit their ability to travel, drive a car or stay in touch with family and friends in other ways.
However, an answer is available. A Better Home Care’s caregivers can bridge the social gap for those growing older and living alone. Senior home companions monitor a senior’s safety, manage their health and wellness, and deal with regular household chores—also offering much-needed companionship and social interaction. Companions for the elderly meet an elderly parent’s social needs by engaging in supportive conversation, assisting in planning of social outings, offering a little friendly encouragement to keep the senior mentally active and encouraging them to engage in light exercise.
Seniors often desire to relive happy memories and reminisce, affirm who they are, or discover insights about their life. When your senior parent longs to remember and reminisce about life experiences, or talk about favorite personal stories or discuss their grandchildren, an in-home companion caregiver can be a friendly and caring listener.
Maintaining a degree of independence and activity is essential for the well-being and happiness of your senior parent. Our home companions assist in arranging visits with family and friends, visits with grandchildren, doing crafts and scrapbooking, or even in scheduling vacations.
It is well-known that exercise is a key to good health, but it may be particularly true for seniors. Through participation in enjoyable activities, seniors can develop greater mobility and quality of life and feel more independent. However, they may still be in need of a little encouragement. Our companions can accompany your elderly family member on walks and encourage consistent light exercise.
Research now indicates that remaining mentally active can prevent a great deal of the mental decline associated with aging. Through our companion services for seniors, our home companions can help organize pastimes, hobbies and games to help your senior parent remain mentally active, and engaged.