Reduce isolation in seniors with the help of in-home care services.
Isolation. Fear. Loneliness. The pandemic has wreaked havoc on all of us in one way or another, but for seniors especially, the seclusion required to ensure safety from COVID-19 has had harmful effects on emotional, physical and mental wellbeing. At Absolute Companion Care, a provider of top-rated home health care in Towson and the surrounding areas, there are steps we take to help reduce isolation in seniors and increase the social connections that are so vital to their health.
- Safe socialization. While we have become used to the phrase “social distancing,” it is not the socialization itself we must distance ourselves from, of course, but only the physical proximity to others. Remaining socially connected throughout the pandemic might not look exactly like we’d like without physical touch, but there are lots of ways an in-home caregiver can help encourage older adults to still be close to those they love. Whether an older adult prefers old-fashioned letter writing and phone calls, or is open to making use of social media or technology for virtual face-to-face conversations, we are able to help seniors reach out to others often.
- Maximizing time with trusted companions. For older adults who live alone, spending quality time with an in-home caregiver will help immensely with alleviating feelings of isolation. We make time to play board games, have conversations, bake, do arts and crafts together, maybe even take an online course together to learn a new language or another skill.
- Limiting exposure to the news. While it’s necessary to stay up to date around the latest specifics of the pandemic along with other news items of importance, a great deal of time spent reading or watching the news is bound to raise a senior’s anxiety and stress levels. Our care providers encourage seniors to establish practical goals pertaining to news intake: perhaps one half-hour news program each morning, and another at dinnertime, and fill the rest of the day with positive television shows, reading materials, and other engaging activities.
- Practicing positivity. Considering all of the “what ifs” can be frightening. We help older adults shift their thinking to a more positive mindset and internal dialogue through mindfulness, prayer, gratitude, guided meditation or yoga, and even through encouraging the senior to take time to talk with a specific family member or friend who has an approach of constantly looking on the bright side.
- Enjoying nature. Being outdoors in and of itself decreases stress and anxiety; our caregivers safely help seniors enjoy walks along with other forms of exercise for an extra calming effect. We are also careful to strictly follow safety guidelines – staying apart from others, wearing a face covering, etc.
- Helping somebody else. There is no better elixir to feeling down than helping somebody else up. Even when remaining at home, there are a number of ways seniors can make a difference in the lives of others. Together, we can brainstorm ideas related to a senior’s particular interests and passions; for example, writing and mailing cards of encouragement to nursing home residents, assembling care packages for the disabled or homeless veterans, making baby blankets for a local organization that assists single mothers, or baking homemade dog treats to send to the animal shelter.
Let Absolute Companion Care’s professional, compassionate caregivers help the older adults you love overcome loneliness and reduce isolation in seniors. We adhere to all recommended procedures to safely care for older adults in the home, and love bringing smiles to the faces of individuals we serve. Email or give us a call at 410-357-9640 to learn more about our experienced home health care in Towson, MD, and the surrounding communities.