Staying socially engaged can enhance seniors’ communication skills and boost their cognitive health. Social activities also lead to physical benefits, which is why you should keep your aging loved one socially active. Continue reading to learn why socialization is essential for the wellbeing of elderly people and how you can use the following tips to keep your loved one engaged.
Be a Host
Sometimes the best way to kick things off is to host games, parties, and social gatherings at your home. Your loved one may feel more relaxed when attending social events in a familiar setting. In some instances, your loved one may enjoy the companionship and begin to host crafting parties or game nights at his or her own home. Being a host could increase your parent’s social opportunities and help him or her use local resources. For example, if your loved one wants to join a book club but none exist in town, he or she can contact the local library about starting one and opening the meetings to other like-minded adults.
Promote Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Seniors who practice self-care are less likely to become isolated. These individuals develop healthy habits that boost their mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. For instance, when your loved one goes to the doctor for regular checkups, he or she can receive medications and tips on how to address issues that increase social withdrawal, such as incontinence.
For families living in Windermere, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Prestige Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
Choose Activities They Enjoy
Taking up hobbies he or she likes will make your loved one less likely to withdraw from socialization. Include your loved one in the planning process, allowing him or her to choose which community events he or she will attend or the local sports teams he or she wants to join. Basing activities on your loved one’s preferences gives him or her more control, which could increase independence.
Consider Their Strengths
Older adults with memory problems, limited mobility, and poor communication skills often withdraw from engaging in social activities because they’re embarrassed by these issues and want to avoid interacting with others. Consider your parent’s strengths and weaknesses when suggesting social activities. For example, if your loved one has poor balance and flexibility, promote social hobbies that rely more on thinking skills instead of physical abilities.
In Altamonte Springs, senior home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Prestige Home Care, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.
Get Involved
Having you there for emotional support could encourage your loved one to participate in more social activities. There are a variety of family-friendly activities you can choose from, including many at local senior centers. The objective is to get your parent out of the home and into the community. As your loved one continues with classes and various group activities, he or she can build social networks and become less reliant on your presence at these events.
Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of at-home care. You can rely on Prestige Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. Trust Prestige Home Care to provide high-quality compassionate, professional home care for your loved one. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (407) 232-7155.