The Surprising Ways Loneliness Impacts Seniors
Companion care at hom helps seniors combat loneliness and stay healthier and more connected.
When most people think about keeping their mom or dad safe at home as they age, they think about things like protecting them from falls. But loneliness can be just as much of a danger to your mom or dad’s health as falling or getting sick. That’s because loneliness can increase your mom or dad’s risk of developing serious illnesses.
Loneliness largely impacts seniors who live alone. Often, seniors have lost touch with friends or had neighbors move away. If they have poor mobility, they may not be able to go for walks or get out of the house so they can talk to people.
Companion care at home services is a fantastic way to make sure that your mom or dad is getting the social connection they need to avoid being lonely. If your mom or dad has companion care at home, they will get regular visits from a companion they like and trust.
Your senior parent and companion care at home providers can share conversations, share meals, play card or board games, watch TV, and do other activities. Companion care at home gives your senior parent the routine of having visits on a regular basis.
Regular visits from a companion care at home provider can help protect your mom or dad from some of the surprising health problems that loneliness can cause in seniors like:
It Increases Risk of Depression
Loneliness often leads to feelings of sadness or hopelessness. If your mom or dad feels alone, they may struggle to find joy or motivation. Over time, this can turn into depression.
Depression affects how your mom or dad thinks, sleeps, and even eats. Depression also lowers energy, making it even harder for your senior parent to stay active or socialize.
It Weakens the Immune System
Studies show that loneliness can weaken the immune system. When your senior parent feels isolated, their body experiences more stress. This stress can lower the body’s defenses against illness.
Seniors with weakened immune systems are more likely to catch colds, flu, and other infections. Loneliness can even increase the risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease or diabetes. A weak immune system means it’s harder for your mom or dad to fight off sickness.
It Raises Blood Pressure
Feeling lonely can cause stress, which affects blood pressure. When seniors like your mom or dad are lonely, they often feel anxious or worried. This stress puts extra pressure on the heart and blood vessels.
Over time, high blood pressure can lead to serious health issues, like heart disease or stroke. Seniors already face a higher risk of high blood pressure, so loneliness can make things even worse. High blood pressure is often called a “silent killer” because it can go unnoticed but cause big health problems.
It Increases the Risk of Memory Loss
Loneliness can have a big impact on your mom or dad’s brain health, especially their memory. Social interaction with companion care at home and family caregivers keeps the brain active, helping memory and thinking skills stay sharp.
Without social connections, the brain may lose some of its ability to focus and remember things. In severe cases, loneliness can contribute to dementia or accelerate its progress. Staying mentally active is essential to improving brain health, but loneliness often stops seniors from getting that stimulation.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Companion Care at Home in Reston, VA, please contact the caring staff at Butters Home Health Care today. (703) 371-2113