Humans are social beings, which is why it comes as little surprise that companionship can be greatly beneficial for our overall well being. In our younger years, we perceive socialization as a given. We are surrounded by people wherever we go, at school, in the university, at work or at home. Sometimes, we take this for granted.
But as we start to age, circumstances begin to change rapidly: reality is much different for a large portion of the eldelry population who may become isolated upon retirement, downsizing or relocation, loss of a partner or spouse, health issues and other factors. So why do providers of senior home care in Santa Monica place so much importance on socialization?
All around us, anxiety and depression are becoming increasingly common. Although they are not a natural part of the aging process and should not be accepted as such, they appear to be especially common among middle-aged and senior citizens. Perhaps the modern way of life has something to do with the trend. Anxiety can be overwhelming, and its symptoms can be so severe that they require treatment, which is why we need to be there for those struggling with it.
When it comes to the elderly, the risk of developing anxiety and depression could be considerably higher if they live alone and have limited mobility: they often become isolated and deprived of companionship or even a remote possibility of a social life, which further raises the risk.
It is a vicious circle, but you can help break it, and professionals working in the domain of home care in Santa Monica can help you do that. But how exactly do we recognize anxiety, what is its effect on the elderly and what is the best mechanism to cope with it?
As we age, many things change. We enter retirement. Our lifestyle is no longer as active. Our social circle starts to dwindle, and so do our energy levels. Our financial circumstances change as well. We finally have free time to do whatever we want, but the irony is that we may lose a sense of purpose. But if there is one thing humans are good at, it is the ability to adapt and evolve. And if there is one thing professional providers of homecare in Hollywood are good at, it is bringing an enhanced quality of life to the elderly, regardless of the circumstances.
To make an informed decision together with your loved one, you need to develop a firm understanding of what downsizing and relocation mean for the elderly, how you can help them overcome the related hardships and move on so they could leave a more fulfilling, more rewarding life.
Here’s what you can do to turn your elderly loved one’s experience of downsizing and relocation into a comfortable, liberating one!
Some signs of aging are easily identifiable, others not so much. But why do we need to understand the normal course of aging? For one thing, if we know what’s going to happen down the line, we can take timely action to prepare for what lies ahead, or even slow down the effects of the aging process. Namely, the elderly can take mindful steps to stay mentally sharp and physically fit for much longer, ultimately extending their life expectancy.
For another, if we can recognize the normal signs and symptoms of aging, we can easily pinpoint the symptoms which may be out of the ordinary and a possible cause for alarm. Finally, by learning about the normal aging process, you will have a deeper understanding of what your aging parents are going through, which will make it easier for you to communicate and make important decisions, such as whether it’s time to seek support and assistance from Tarzana home care professionals, together.
For a detailed overview of the normal course of aging, let’s walk a mile in your elderly loved one’s shoes.
Although age-related memory loss and decline of cognitive abilities may be inevitable in many cases, we are far from powerless to do something to preserve these functions. Growing old is not something that happens over night. If we can learn to recognize the early signs of aging, we can take action to slow down the aging process, at least to an extent, and buy ourselves more time and, more importantly, a better, sustainable quality of life.
Providers of homecare in Tarzana understand the importance of keeping the elderly active and engaged, both physically and mentally. So what are the most effective strategies to counteract the functional decline that normally comes with advanced age and preserve or, better yet, improve brain health in the elderly? Stay tuned to find out.
The elderly who stay physically active and engaged in outdoor activities are known to increase their lifespan and maintain a higher quality of life. Learning and staying mentally active serve much the same purpose. Learning is an essential part of life, and there is no reason to cease learning just because we have reached old age. In fact, old age is exactly when being an active learner can become more important than ever and even help prevent dementia.
Professional providers of home care in Tarzana and other communities in the area understand that learning can be vital to the wellbeing of the elderly, which is why they support seniors under their care in their efforts to learn new skills.
So what are the benefits of lifelong learning and how does the learning process change as we grow older?
No man is an island. We humans are social beings who cannot thrive when isolated from the community. Socialization is not only beneficial to humans but also an integral, intrinsic part of human nature. Social animals that we are, most of us need others to evolve, to make progress, to be happy.
But ironically, a large portion of the elderly population faces a completely different reality. They spend most of their time alone and suffer from loneliness which can easily lead to anxiety, depression or overall health deterioration. Consistent socialization, on the other hand, does just the opposite: it gives a person a boost of self-confidence and a sense of belonging and self-worth.
If there is a silver lining to the recent outbreak of the COVID-19, it is that it has helped raise awareness of the vulnerability of the elderly and the health and safety risks they face on a daily basis. It has also taught us the true meaning of solidarity and showed us the powerful impact that acting together as a community can have in protecting the elderly population.
All of us are more or less prone to accidents. They can happen while we’re driving, grocery shopping or working. The irony is that it is at home that accidents are most likely to happen. But not everyone is lucky enough to overcome injuries and recover from various home accidents quickly and completely. Case in point: the elderly living alone. It is up to us to help them stay safe and protected at home.
Since their job is to help the elderly living independently at home, professional providers of homecare in Brentwood are used to seeing all kinds of scenarios in the workplace, which is why they are experts at recognizing the common safety hazards in seniors’ households.
So what are the common home injuries for the senior population and what can we do to prevent them?
Whether your elderly loved one is experiencing a physical health decline or has a hard time dealing with negative emotions such as anxiety and depression, one thing is certain: the elderly need our help and support. Sometimes we are unable to give them what they need by ourselves, but there are other ways to help them, such as turning to professionals in home care in Marina Del Rey.
Aside from meeting their critical non-medical needs through personalized caregiving services, home care includes companionship. So what is companionship and why is it so important?
