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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?

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. 

So how exactly does socializing benefit seniors?