How Senior Care in Norfolk Helps with Loneliness and Isolation
When considering how senior care might help your loved one in the Norfolk, VA area, your mind might immediately go to your loved one’s physical needs. Indeed, caregivers can help your loved one with personal tasks like bathing and grooming, errands, and tasks around the home, but caregiver can do more than simply ensure your loved one is healthy and safe. Senior care providers from Visiting Angels® Norfolk, Portsmouth and Suffolk can also be a lifeline to seniors in the local area who are at risk of being isolated and experiencing prolonged loneliness.
Senior Care and Loneliness in Norfolk
Often, seniors are at a higher risk of being isolated and alone as they age. This isolation can be due to grief over the loss of a spouse or close friends, mobility issues that make it difficult to attend social events, or hearing and cognitive impairments that make communicating a challenge.
While the effects of loneliness on your loved one’s emotional well-being are reason enough to ensure they have companionship and emotional support, prolonged isolation can also lead to a number of health risks. In fact, a study done in 2015 at the Brigham Young University reported that the health risks of prolonged isolation were on par with the risks of obesity and smoking.
Senior Care to Combat Isolation in Norfolk
No matter your loved one’s needs and abilities, senior care from Visiting Angels Norfolk, Portsmouth and Suffolk is a great way to ensure they have a personal connection and support in times of loneliness. The one-on-one nature of in-home care provides an opportunity for seniors in the local area to develop meaningful and lasting relationships with their caregivers. Caregivers can come at the same time every day or every week, adding structure and routine to your loved one's life, and giving your loved one something to look forward to.
In addition to offering help around the home, there are several ways senior care providers can care for the emotional needs of your loved one in the Norfolk, VA area. They can provide transportation and accompaniment to social events and gatherings, and can be there to play a favorite game with, go for a walk with, or simply spend time with. Caregivers can also help your loved one stay connected to far-away friends and family by teaching them Skype, Facebook, FaceTime and other new technologies.
Call Visiting Angels Norfolk, Portsmouth and Suffolk today to learn more about how senior care services can benefit your loved one.