Loneliness does not appear overnight. Over years a person may become more isolated by small degrees. Friends and relatives die or move away, mobility slowly starts to restrict activity and sometimes problems such as incontinence, deafness and fear of falling keep people more isolated.
Prolonged isolation can damage the immune system, leaving people more vulnerable to infections. It can also affect the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of heart and circulatory problems. Lack of social interaction has also been linked to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
The role of companion/homemaker care provides a level of social integration that is not always credited for its role in abating loneliness. Social isolation has been described as the hidden killer, causing serious health problems which can have devastating consequences. Social relationships can be more than family and friends; qualified non-medical home care service is one of the most overlooked opportunities to improve quality of life. Studies by scholars such as Karl Pillemer and Elaine Wethington from the Department of Human Development & Sociology at Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York, are proving the importance of maintaining social connections and resources from middle age and beyond is essential as the foundation for successful aging.
Written by: Ramona K. Hunt M.S., Touching Hearts, Inc.
Caring for an aging parent is a profound responsibility, one that often comes with difficult decisions. As our loved ones…
Often when seniors start to experience changes in their health, they don’t go to a doctor. They just assume that…
Summer is many people’s favorite time of the year because the sun is out for longer, the air is fresh…
July is Social Wellness Month and it’s a fantastic time for seniors to focus on their social life and how…
Your mom is getting older and has health conditions that may be common in old age, but they also limit…
June is National Adopt A Cat Month and it’s a great time for seniors to think about bringing a new…
Dementia affects millions of people every year. It causes memory loss, confusion, disorientation, and more while robbing families of the…
Twenty-five percent of U.S. adults have two or more chronic health conditions, and 60% have at least one. As your…
Older adults are more likely to have at least one chronic health condition and take medications to keep it from…
Depression is something that impacts a huge number of seniors. Some estimates are that more than 13% of seniors have…