Help Seniors Avoid Isolation

Seniors may offer a variety of reasons why they may not want to go out in public, which could eventually cause social isolation. Some examples of these reasonings may include:

• Noise levels may be too high in crowded areas
• Inability to drive, or no mode of transportation
• Lack of wheelchair accessible facilities
• Being afraid to ask for help
• Anxiety of thinking one may fall while out in public
• It’s just easier to stay home

Ways to Help Seniors Avoid Isolation

It’s important to give encouragement to loved ones in order to keep them social and active.  Giving them reasons on why they should be social will help them understand that they need to get out into the public will help seniors avoid isolation.  If encouragement doesn’t seem to work, here are several ways to help:

Help them get around—transport will help seniors avoid isolation

Being unable to drive may make it seem like a person can’t get out of the house, but not necessarily. Knowing or finding out ways for your loved one to leave the house and make trips may become your responsibility.  This doesn’t mean you have to drive them, but knowing how to get them out and about is crucial to getting them to interact with the public.

Although some family members are willing to drive their elderly loved ones around, there are other modes of transportation.  Check with your local city transportation company to find if there are bus stops along their neighborhood.  If not, educate your loved one on the benefits of transportation systems like Uber or Lyft.

Many communities have specialized transportation services for seniors at low-cost, as well.

Give them a purpose

Everyone needs to feel like they have a purpose.  Someone that is reaching their older years may feel like their purpose is diminishing, so helping them find it again will help.  They may then want to get out into the community to fulfill that purpose that they have.  Get them involved within a group or find a hobby so they have a sense of belonging.

Help with hearing and vision sensitivities

Your loved one may struggle with vision and hearing as they grow older.  This may also be a reason they prefer to stay at home.  One way to help with this would be to get them an eye or hearing exam.  They may need new glasses or a hearing aid to assist with their outings.  They may also feel at ease when all of their senses are in order, and be able to communicate with others while they are out and about.

Provide assistance getting around

Transportation is one thing, but actually getting around in a store or park may also be difficult.  If they use a cane, walker, wheelchair, or another form of movement assistance, they may need your help to learn how to use these (especially if they are new to have assistance with moving around).

Speak with their neighbors

Telling people within their neighborhood or their next-door neighbors that your loved one lives alone is extremely important.  Not only will it make them feel more comfortable with new people coming in and out of your loved one’s home, but they may be able to help by taking away the feeling of isolation.  Perhaps they will stop by the say “Hi!” to your loved one, or even volunteer to help with other tasks, as well!  Any form of communication with another person is important for your loved one, so take any help you can get.

Eat meals together

Eating alone can easily cause the feeling of loneliness and isolation.  Sharing a meal is an easy task that can be taken on several times throughout the day or week.

Encourage your loved one to eat dinner with friends or family, or find groups of other elderly people that would like to share a meal together.

Talk about incontinence issues, if applicable

Incontinence is not an issue anyone would like to discuss, especially for the person it is happening to.  Although it can be embarrassing, it is important to talk about. Not only is it a health issue, it may cause someone to not want to leave their home.

Address these issues head-on and provide your parent or senior friends with the medication or supplies they need to feel confident.  Tell them it’s nothing to be ashamed of, and assure them you will help if any issues arise.

In conclusion

Socializing with others can go a long way to improving their mental health and ensure that loneliness doesn’t set in.

Using these tactics may help your loved one want to be social and energized, which is something we all want our family members to feel throughout their lifetime.

Visiting Angles Omaha | Helping Seniors with In-Home Care in Omaha

Getting started is easy. Simply get in touch with one of our local home care offices. We can match your loved one with a caregiver who can provide the assistance they need. Respite care is offered on an hourly basis so you can establish the frequency and scope of care that best meets your needs. Because our home care services are flexible, should your loved one require more engaged care in the future, we can expand our role to include:

• companion care
• personal care
• Alzheimer’s
• dementia