Many Seniors are living alone once a spouse passes. Being on one’s own may not lead to feelings of loneliness, but the likelihood that it will are pretty high. Boca Home Care Services will introduce a “companion” Caregiver to you who can provide company as well as transportation to social events. An added plus is that they can prepare meals, eat with you, help with shopping, laundry, medication prompts and personal care.

A companion to help Cook and Eat with.

Older Age, living alone, and isolation can combine into serious health problems; physical and emotional. You may not be outgoing or particularly sociable but we are social beings in need of some contact with others to feel good.

Feelings of loneliness and being isolated can have a negative effect on a person’s quality of life, leading to worsening health conditions. Furthermore, there are new studies which have found that living alone and feelings of lonliness may increase the risk of an earlier death. Bachelors or widows beware! An independent life alone may be hazardous to your health.

Some studies have found a direct correlation between being alone and higher risks for and exacerbated symptoms for heart disease, stroke and heart attacks than folks who live with family or friends. The risks were highest among middle aged people and those 66- 80. Remarkably those 80 and older did not show an increased risk.

Professionals working with Seniors ought to find out whether the person lives alone or not. There are plausible explanations for why the 66-80 year-olds are at risk for heart problems when living alone. Not having a partner may indicate social or psychological or relationship problems. It also points to a weak social support network.

Having a partner or spouse watch out for you or remind you to eat better, take medication properly, hold onto when walking make for a safer outcome.

Feelings of loneliness and isolation can have a causal effect with depression which also plays a hand in poorer health. Statistically, individuals are more at risk in their later years – past sixty, when they report feeling lonely and/or isolated or left out of things. Keep in mind, many people report these feelings, even when living with others.

There is a persistent “stress” associated with feelings of loneliness. The stress can have a biological effect of inflammation in the body while depression has negative emotional and psychological effects. All of  which combine to decrease the level of taking care of oneself and impacts on health conditions already present.

If you sense your elderly loved one fits any of these descriptions then it may be time to speak with them and take actions. Maybe they should move closer to family, hire a companion, arrange transportation to Senior Centers, the Clubhouse or other activities. Explore what is available in the community. Or it may be time to look at Independent or Assisted Living arrangements in a communal setting.

Hiring a companion (Boca Home Care Services) can be a very good start! The right companion is someone your parent is comfortable with, can engage in conversation or activities, share a meal with and also provide transportation to other community activities – the JCC, Church or Synagouge, Continuing Education – FAU Lifelong Learning Society, The Volen Center, Sandler Center and more.

Loneliness or isolation are serious conditions which actually have relatively easier solutions and a great chance at positive outcomes!