By Marta Street, Certified Concierge Care Advisor
We have learned a lot about the side effects of isolation and our seniors over the last 2 years. In working with families, this has been incredibly hard for our loved ones, especially for those who have some form of cognitive impairment. Our seniors have declined both physically and mentally much faster than before. The CDC lists health risks attributed to loneliness:
- Social isolation significantly increased a person’s risk of premature death from all causes, a risk that may rival those of smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.
- Social isolation was associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia.
- Loneliness was associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide.
We see this decline in so many of our clients. It is true that we are still dealing with new variants of Covid-19 along with a resurgence of the flu and RSV, and so the challenge is still in front of us. Are there things that can be done to help bring people back into the community? The answer is yes! The goal is to find those things that will bring something meaningful back into our day.
The local senior centers are beginning to open their doors again as are the local churches and clubs. Some of our seniors are still nervous about being out in public, so there is another option. What I have personally seen is how much moving into a senior community has changed the lives of many. Being around your peers with similar life experiences, participating in activities with others, and access to healthy meals makes a huge difference in the life of our seniors. When working in an Assisted Living Community, it would warm my heart to have the residents come and tell me how glad they were to be with new friends. They also said, “I wish I would have done this sooner”.
There are many options to choose from, and helping you find the option that fits you personally is what brings joy to us each day. If you want to learn more, a Concierge Care Advisor would love to talk with you.
