Importance of Social Interaction for the Elderly

Posted on Oct 22 2014 - 2:43pm by Charlie

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Lack of social interactions and scarcity of friends can pose health risks for your aging parents. Loneliness and boredom are capable of leading to depression, an unhealthy state of mind and a frail body. Such a situation is obviously not the best to be in for the elderly, or for anyone else for that matter. Social interaction is important not just for you mind and soul, but also for an overall sense of well being. Having reached a phase when one is losing friends and family to death, it isn’t easy to make new friends and even keeping in touch with old friends seems like a chore. Research shows that those who live in isolation are more likely to have shorter lives than people with active social circles. Living in isolation may lead to several undesirable medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, depression, risk of Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and even certain cancers. Many people step up to the plate to help stop this being an issue for elderly people (you can click here for more information). However, old people can keep their brain active by considering the following solutions.

Assisted Living Facility

There are various nursing homes in Crawley, West Sussex, specialise in taking care of the elderly by giving them a chance to an active social circle. A good idea would be to get your aging parents admitted at an acclaimed Haywards Heath nursing home in Crawley such as Ashton House Residential and Nursing Home such as Ashton House Residential and Nursing Home that provides a number of social activities including summer and winter trips, magic shows, movie watching, arts and craft, etc. Such an organisation can help stimulate brain activity, instil a positive feeling and re-ignite lost passions. Regular fun filled events and outings at such a senior assisted living community can give elderly people a reason to live and foster an optimistic approach to life. In case, you can’t admit them at an assisted living facility and rather want them at home, but they still need care, then you can maybe hire a service of comparable caliber like those provided by Elder Home Care in Ft. Myers or somewhere similar.

Staying Connected via Social Media

In today’s digital world, social media has made it possible to stay connected with loved ones no matter where they might be. Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp have created this new social world that isn’t restricted to the young generation alone. You can help your aging parents to set up their accounts and stay constantly connected. Besides keeping you in touch with friends, social media can keep your brain sharp and even boost mental faculties. If your aging parents are living in isolation at a nursing home in Crawley in West Sussex, you could help them counter loneliness by staying in touch with them via social media.

Advantages of an Active Social Life

Apart from a happy and content state of mind, there are a number of physical benefits of having an active social circle. It decreases the risk of several cardiovascular problems, such as rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, osteoporosis and even Alzheimer’s. Further, it can restore blood pressure and even impact sugar levels. Social interactions with grandchildren can also foster a strong emotional bond, leading to healthier meals and a more active lifestyle. Those of you with aging parents must ensure that they are surrounded with their loved ones throughout the day. If you cannot mange to do this due to your hectic schedule, it is a best to admit parents at Haywards Heath nursing home, where there are ample social activities and everyday events.

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