Socializing Promotes Well-Being for Seniors

Most of us enjoy spending time with others. But is socializing just a pleasant way to pass a few hours?

Research shows that socializing plays a vital health role throughout life, no matter what a person's age or condition. Gerontologists tell us that maintaining human relationships promotes healthy ageing in many ways you may not have considered:

• Strengthens the immune system
• Lowers blood pressure
• Improves cardiac health
• Promotes brain health and memory
• Encourages physical fitness
• Lessens depression
• Improves sleep
• Motivates good nutrition
• Reduces the perception of pain.

Much important work on this subject has been done by Dr. John Cacioppo of the Center for Cognitive and Social Neuroscience at the University of Chicago. Cacioppo and his colleagues have found that loneliness affects senior health even on the cellular level. People experiencing loneliness also have higher levels of stress hormones. According to Health Canada, "Being lonely is hard on a person's health."

Unfortunately, seniors are more likely to experience loneliness. Retirement, mobility problems, health challenges, giving up the car keys, and the loss of spouse and close friends all remove familiar occasions for socializing.

When elders are living with health problems, family caregivers do what they can to prevent their loved one from being alone too much of the time. But many are dealing with busy lives already, full of responsibilities for work and other family duties. Home care can be a great way to decrease loneliness and increase social opportunities for senior loved ones! A trained, professional in-home caregiver can provide:

Companionship. Spending hours alone at home can have such a negative impact on seniors! The presence of a caregiver in the home, for a few hours a week to full-time, provides the stimulation and comfort of having another person around. 

Transportation. "In-home care" doesn't only take place at home. Elderly care services might also include taking the senior client for visits with friends, to the local senior centre, or to their faith community. And what about the rewards of volunteering? Health challenges need not prevent seniors from serving the community.

Confidence. Seniors dealing with the effects of arthritis, osteoporosis, stroke or other health conditions may feel apprehensive going out and about—or entertaining at home. As one daughter noted, "Mom was always so proud of her spotless house. After her stroke, it was hard to clean, so she didn't have friends over very often. But with at home senior care, Mom doesn't need to worry about housekeeping."

Dementia support. Spending meaningful time with others benefits people who have Alzheimer's disease or other memory loss. An Alzheimer's home care provider who understands the challenges of the disease can provide patient, non-judgmental company, and appropriate supervision for outside activities.

Improved family relationships. With in-home assistance for personal care and housekeeping, family members are free to spend more quality time with their loved one, doing things they truly enjoy. Everyone also benefits from respite care services. And did you know research shows that seniors have a better relationship with family when they spend time with other people as well?

It is true that as we grow older it takes more effort and planning to stay engaged in life, but the rewards are great.

People Need People Give your brain a workout with this month's puzzle, which contains 20 ways socialization promotes senior health. Need help finding one last word or two? Click here for the solution!