Four Ways to Fix Social Isolation Problems
There are a million reasons why your senior might not be able to be as socially active as she once was. What’s important is that you find answers for her before the isolation becomes depression.
Activities She Enjoys Can Keep Your Senior’s Attention
If your senior isn’t engaging in activities that she enjoys, particularly ones that involve other people, it’s much easier for her to become isolated. Libraries, senior centers, and other places where groups gather can offer a variety of different activity choices for your senior. These types of events can serve a double purpose, too. They can help your elderly family member to find hobbies that engage her brain while also helping her to be more socially active.
Get Creative about Social Interactions
You might need to get more creative in general about social interactions. Other family members and neighbors might stop by now and then, but that might not be enough. Your senior’s comfort levels might come into play here, too. Spending time on the front porch and saying hello to neighbors as they pass by can be an easy way to get to know more people. But if your senior isn’t as comfortable with that, you might need to find other ways to help her branch out.
Health Issues Can Slow Her Down
One of the situations that can cause your senior to withdraw from others can be health and even mobility concerns. Your elderly family member may feel self-conscious about her own needs, which can cause her to be a little more cautious about going out and about. Making sure that your senior has the assistive tools she needs can help quite a bit, as can helping her to have positive experiences when she does venture out.
Line up Transportation Assistance
Another reason your elderly family member might stop socializing can be a lack of transportation. If she no longer drives, getting around can feel like a hassle. And when she stops going out as much, she may lose what little social interaction she was getting. Making sure that your senior is always able to go where she wants, when she wants is important for a multitude of reasons, but it can be especially important when it comes to socializing. Elderly care providers can take over the driving for her, solving that problem.
Helping your senior to get the social interactions she really needs feels complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Try a variety of ideas to see what works for your senior.
If you or an aging loved one is considering elderly care in Monroe, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Care Street Home Care Serving Somerset and Middlesex/Union Counties today. Call (732) 607-8870.
The Care Street mission is straightforward and compelling: to provide a comprehensive range of the highest quality home health services in a professional and efficient manner that will enhance our clients' quality of life and empower families to keep their loved one at home.
Care Street has earned a reputation of excellence among hundreds of families, and is recommended by medical professionals and hospital discharge planners throughout the State.
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