A sedentary lifestyle is linked to decreased socialization, yet there are things you can do to help your senior loved one make and keep friends. Try using these strategies to help your loved one enjoy an active social life that promotes a better sense of overall wellbeing.
1. Explore New Hobbies
Seniors become sedentary for a variety of reasons. For instance, your loved one may have experienced an injury that stopped him or her from doing the things he or she loves, such as hiking. If this is the case, help your loved one find new ways to enjoy retirement. As your loved one begins to pick up new hobbies, you can help him or her connect with other people who enjoy doing the same things. Whether your loved one joins a sewing circle or a scrapbooking group, there are many activities he or she can enjoy from a sitting position if his or her health requires caution.
2. Encourage Going Online
Seniors now have the benefit of being able to reach out to people all over the world from the comfort of home. Show your loved one how to go online and set up a social media profile. After a little coaching about online privacy, encourage your loved one to talk to old friends and even make a few new ones.
Connecting online is a wonderful way to socialize, but it’s also important to be around people in person. For families living in Edmonton, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
3. Invite People Over for Meals
For a senior who has difficulty getting around, going out to eat often may be out of the question. However, many social events revolve around food. To meet this important need, help your loved one invite people over for lunch and dinner, and make sure to mix it up with different types of events. For instance, you could plan a family potluck one week and have another caregiver drop by for lunch each day.
Planning social activity around meals in your loved one’s home can make a world of difference in his or her quality of life. Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted in-home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Home Care Assistance is here to help.
4. Attend Community Events Together
Sedentary seniors sometimes need a little nudge to help them get out of their comfort zones. Head to your loved one’s city’s website to look for upcoming events in the community to attend. Many popular events, such as theatre performances and senior luncheons, allow for plenty of mingling without being too taxing. If your loved one finds a regular event he or she would like to attend, provide transportation to and from the venue so he or she has no excuse to stay home.
5. Encourage Reaching Out to Old Friends
Over the years, friendships blossom and fade, and it’s likely your loved one has a few old friends he or she has lost touch with over the years. It’s also possible that one or more of these friends is also in need of socialization. Encourage your loved one to grab his or her old phone book and give a few old friends a call. This simple action could be the start of renewed friendships that help your loved one continue to find new opportunities to socialize.
Humans are social animals, and it’s important for all of us to have social contact. Some seniors, though, may have reduced their social activity for a variety of reasons. Maintaining a high quality of life can be challenging for some seniors, but professional caregivers can help them attain this goal. Families can trust Edmonton senior care experts to help their elderly loved ones focus on lifestyle choices that increase the chances of living longer and healthier lives. Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at Home Care Assistance. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call (780) 490-7337 today.