How Caregivers in Mentor Help with Senior Isolation

According to the US Census Bureau over a quarter of seniors over the age of 65 are living alone. You may even have an elderly mother or father who lives alone. This number is not surprising when you consider the desire of many seniors to remain at home for as long as possible. As our loved ones lose spouses or family members, experience a decrease in mobility, or deal with chronic health concerns, they may end up spending more and more of their time alone. This can lead to feelings of senior isolation. Thankfully, Visiting Angels^® Mentor OH can help combat the effects of senior isolation with our caregivers and their joyful companionship.

Negative Effects of Senior Isolation

As you may suspect, there are many negative effects when a loved one begins to feel isolated. Visiting Angels Mentor has caregivers who are well versed in caring for seniors and understand what to look for. Some ways feelings of loneliness or isolation can affect your loved one include:

• Higher mortality risk when there's no one else around to seek care in the case of acute illness
• Feelings of loneliness have been shown to contribute to poor mental and physical health
• Researchers at the University of Chicago have linked isolation to increased cognitive decline
• In some studies, chronic illness such as lung disease, depression, and arthritis are linked to social isolation
• Feelings of loneliness have been shown to have a direct relationship to high blood pressure
• Seniors who suffer from feelings of loneliness are more likely to engage in unhealthy lifestyle choices

Thankfully, aid from a compassionate caregiver, such as those at Visiting Angels Mentor, can help your loved one avoid feelings of isolation.

Caregivers in Mentor Help Alleviate Isolation

Senior caregivers from Visiting Angels Mentor are knowledgeable when it comes to helping seniors feel connected. Some of the ways they help include:

• Transportation aid so your loved one can get to activities, church, social gatherings, and more
• Walking and exercise assistance from their caregiver can help your loved one fight off diabetes and high blood pressure
• Social care can help seniors use technology such as social media or text messaging to connect with their family and friends
• A caregiver in Mentor can help your loved one participate in activities such as volunteering to help them connect with others

If your loved one is looking for a professional caregiver to provide companionship, call Visiting Angels Mentor today and ask about our care.