Being lonely is usually a temporary situation, but for many aging adults, loneliness is unfortunately common and can morph into depression. Loneliness and depression both take a huge toll on your senior, both physically and emotionally. These ideas can help you to pay closer attention to this issue for your elderly family member.
Put Together Some Instructions for Others
Lots of times older family members don’t get the companionship that they need or want because it’s difficult to coordinate schedules with other family members. Maybe that means it’s time for your elderly family member to put together some ideas or instructions for visitors. Using group calendars might be an option, for example, where your senior can block out times that are open for her.
If She Wants to Be Mobile with Companionship, Help Her
It might be difficult for your senior to go wherever she’s used to going in order to spend time with people she cares about. If she’s given up driving or if it’s no longer safe for her to drive on her own, then you may need to help her to find other options for transportation. Homecare providers are an excellent option because they can help your elderly family member with other tasks, too.
Making New Friends and Acquaintances May Be Necessary
Friends and even acquaintances move or experience changes in their own lives or health that mean they’re not as available for interactions as they used to be. Because of your senior’s own needs and lifestyle, it might not be as easy to encounter new friends and new people to talk to. Taking classes or going places where she’s more likely to meet people with whom she has things in common can be a huge help.
Other Circumstances Might Make Moving a Good Idea
But there are other situations to consider, too, and some of those might make other solutions a better idea. Your senior may be in a position where she needs to actually move, whether that’s in with you or into another living situation. This might not feel like something she wants to do at first, but it could provide her with an opportunity to be around other people more often.
Figuring out how to help your senior to manage loneliness is tricky, but important. She may not be as social as she used to be, but that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t need companionship. Homecare services aides can also provide the service of companionship on their scheduled visits. Talk to her about what she needs and wants in terms of social interactions so you can help her to meet those goals.