Social Care Program Provides Elder Care to Fresno, CA Seniors to Help Cope with Social Distancing

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that social distancing is the best way to reduce the spread of COVID-19.  As a result, millions of people worldwide are staying indoors and keeping their distance from friends, family, and loved ones. Although social distancing is keeping us safe, social isolation can negatively affect your physical and emotional well-being. The isolation can hit even harder when you’re a senior, causing them to become lonely, stressed, and anxious.

At Visiting Angels of Fresno, we offer local seniors the Social Care Program. This elder care program helps older adults stay connected with their loved ones through modern technology no matter how far they may be. Whether it’s reconnecting with long lost friends through Facebook or FaceTiming with their grandchildren, there are many ways for seniors to use modern technology to their benefit.

What is the Social Care Program?

Modern technology, albeit convenient, can be difficult to adapt to. Seniors, in particular, may be dealing with age-related issues that make it more difficult to learn how to use these tools. During our Social Care Program, our trained caregivers step in to teach Fresno area seniors how to use technology such as smartphones, social media, video calling, and the internet in general. This long-running program has helped seniors’ satisfy their need for social interaction while remaining safe at home.

Investing in your loved one’s social skills doesn’t just affect their emotional well-being. It also affects their physical well-being. For example, the National Institute on Aging reports that there is a positive correlation between social interaction and overall health. For example, seniors who have thriving social lives may have lower levels of interleukin-6, an inflammatory factor, than those who are more isolated. A heightened level of interleukin-6 can lead to osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, and some forms of cancer.

We believe that social care is an extremely important part of elder care; especially in the age of social distancing and the COVID-19 outbreak.

Fresno seniors learn how to do day-to-day digital tasks during the Social Care Program such as:

• Using the video chatting platforms Skype and Facetime
• Browsing the internet to research and online shop
• Communicate through social media platforms such as Facebook
• Using smartphones to text, call, and video chat           

With the guidance of a Visiting Angel caregiver, seniors can overcome the negative effects of social distancing and maintain their social relationships. With popular communication technologies such as Facebook and Skype, we’re all a lot more connected than we think.

Want to learn about our Social Care Program and the other elder care services that our caregivers provide? Contact Visiting Angels of Fresno at 559-550-6573. One of our elder care professionals will be waiting to take your call.