Researchers at Dartmouth University took a closer look at the social needs of adults. It’s clear that socialization is one of the keys to good health. Despite this, the Dartmouth study found that only 16 percent of primary care doctors actually ask their patients about social habits. Only 24 percent of hospital visits every lead to patients being asked about social relationships.
With social relationships playing a part in physical and mental health, your mom must remain social. Studies find that people who are isolated and lonely are more likely to have high blood pressure, heart disease, cognitive decline, and anxiety. Depression and obesity are also more common in socially isolated people.
How Do You Keep Your Mom From Being Socially Isolated?
Visits with family members help prevent social isolation, but it’s not enough. Your mom needs to have a social circle. There are different ways to do this.
Arrange to have her stop by her local senior center each week. Let her try it out one day and see what she thinks. After that, she can go as often as she’d like. If she enjoyed the daily luncheon, make sure she can go to that. If she didn’t like the luncheon, but enjoyed the book reading group, provide transportation for that weekly gathering.
Check the schedule at her local library. They often have groups for everything from gardening to book clubs. She may find activities there that she enjoys. The library is also good for borrowing books, movies, and passes to local parks and museums.
Look into the local recreation center for her town. Those activities are likely geared towards fitness or hobbies. She may find she enjoys being part of the town walking club. She might prefer to take cooking classes. They’re often fee-based, but the cost is minimal and may offer a senior discount.
Research Home Care Services
If your mom doesn’t like to leave the house, you can still keep her engaged. Talk to a home care service about companionship visits. Caregivers come to your mom’s house to help her with housework, cook her meals, take her shopping, or sit and chat.
With caregivers, she’ll have someone stopping by each day, once or twice a week, or as often as is necessary. That caregiver can play games with your mom, join her on walks, or help her in the garden. A home care services representative can help you plan services that will be the most beneficial for your mom.
Sources: https://homehealthcarenews.com/2019/10/hospitals-physicians-arent-screening-for-social-determinants-of-health/
https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/social-isolation-loneliness-older-people-pose-health-risks#targetText=Health%20effects%20of%20social%20isolation,Alzheimer’s%20disease%2C%20and%20even%20death.