Helping Your Aging Loved Ones Deal with Social Isolation

Seniors are at risk for loneliness and social isolation.  If you have aging family members, know that it cannot be taken lightly.  Your aging loved ones may not communicate that they are lonely, but they may be going through the emotional and physical effects of social isolation.

Certain conditions put people at risk for social isolation. If your aging family member lives alone, recently lost a spouse or friend, lacks support system, or recently moved to a new environment, then he or she is at greater risk for isolation.

Older adults who are socially isolated face a lot of challenges. They may experience anxiety and depression and are at an increased risk for a rapid decline in physical and cognitive health. Therefore, it is important that you are able to encourage your aging family member to remain active and social and continue to strengthen old relationships and build new ones.

How to help your aging loved ones avoid social isolation

There are many ways to assist seniors in easing loneliness and isolation. Below are 6 tips to help them stay socially active.

1. Suggest moving to an assisted living facility.

While most people would want to live in their own homes well into old age, moving to a senior living community may sometimes be the best option for your aging family members, especially if they live alone. Living alone, away from friends and family, can lead them to feel lonely and isolated.

One of the ways to help keep the elderly socially active is to encourage them to live in a new environment that offers plenty of opportunities to engage in social activities and build new relationships; i.e., an assisted living facility. In an assisted living facility they will experience increased social engagement, enhancing their overall sense of wellbeing.

2. Help your family member regain a sense of purpose. 

Having a sense of purpose in life is important for one’s psychological and emotional wellbeing. To help older adults deal with social isolation, encourage them to be more involved in what’s happening around them. You can suggest that they start a new hobby, learn a new skill, join clubs or support groups, or sign up for volunteer work.  By pursuing these activities, they will find themselves in situations that promote collaboration and social interaction, which they will find rewarding. Having a sense of purpose boosts self-confidence and prevents social isolation.

3. Assist them in choosing the right pet.

If it’s not contraindicated, having a pet presents a host of benefits for your aging loved ones. When older adults have pets, they will have constant companions, giving them a sense of security. Having a pet also promotes independence and responsibility and eases feelings of loneliness and isolation.

4. Give them access to transportation.

Seniors who have the means to get around are at lesser risk for social isolation.  Providing your aging family members access to transportation ensures they remain socially active. If they can no longer drive, offer to drive them around or ask friends and other family members to pitch in.  Of if your aging loved one is still able to take public transport with minimal assistance, research on the best transportation options available for the elderly. Being able to get around fosters independence and will encourage your loved one to stay active.

5. Encourage social eating.

Eating alone poses health risks for the elderly, e.g. choking and consumption of less nutritious meals. Thus, it is vital that you encourage your aging loved ones to dine with you, with their friends, or other family members. Furthermore, eating is a social activity and when older adults dine in the company of other people, not only is social isolation avoided, they will be encouraged to eat regular, healthier meals as well.

6. Encourage loved ones to embrace technology.

While technology can never replace face-to-face interaction, it can certainly help the elderly stay connected with friends and family.  Teaching your aging loved ones how to use the computer, mobile devices, and social media will help maintain social connections and lessen the impact of social isolation. By giving them access to the Internet and digital devices, you are also ensuring that they have access to vast amounts of information and other resources.

If you are looking for an assisted living facility  (ALF) for your aging loved one, we are here to help you.  Our website provides a curated, searchable database of quality assisted living facilities. Just enter your desired area and choose Assisted Living Facilities from the dropdown list on the search bar on this page to start your search.

Photo credit: prWEB

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