Humans are social creatures. It does not matter what age a person is; humans need social interaction! We spend most of our lives surrounded by other people, chatting and laughing and learning with each other. Why is it so commonly accepted for seniors to be alone in their later years? Many difficulties arise from aging: mobility issues, loved ones passing away, and the pervasive sadness of isolation and loneliness.
At Compassion Network Home Care, we understand that a person’s social and emotional well-being is just as vital to their overall health as eating vegetables and taking vitamins. Our companionship services for seniors are meant to revitalize the social lives of our clients by providing stimulating conversations and activities, like going for walks or visiting a garden centre.
Our companions help to coax our senior clients out of their homes filled with a lifetime of memories to make new ones! Regularly scheduled visits improve mental health, physical health, and the overall well-being of a person.
What does companionship entail?
- Home and facility visits
- Typically, visits last 3 or more hours! We recommend scheduling them weekly to combat the loneliness and provide our clients with something to look forward to every week.
- Friendly social visits
- For our caregivers, these visits mean more than simply checking off a to-do list. We genuinely care about our clients; their well-being is our top priority.
- Stimulating activities
- The brain is a muscle too! It needs to be exercised with things like puzzles, chess, painting, and so much more. Activities that stimulate the creative part of the brain are valuable for maintaining brain plasticity.
- Outings & walks
- Walks in the park, around the block, or even to the garden center! It’s essential for seniors to exercise in the fresh air and to feel the sun on their skin. These low-impact activities stimulate the mind and help break up the monotony of routine.
- Accompaniment to events & appointments
- Whether it’s visiting the cardiologist or a grandchild’s piano recital, our care companions are happy to accompany their clients wherever they need to go. Aging should not put a stop to exploring the world around us.
Loneliness in Seniors
Unfortunately, living a long life is a blessing intertwined with the curse of outliving others. Most seniors have experienced their fair share of loss. Maybe they don’t have anyone left, or their surviving family lives in a different city, province or country. Loneliness and social isolation have severe health impacts on older people.
The issue of senior loneliness and social isolation became especially prevalent in 2020 when the world shut down. Seniors went from having social excursions outside their homes to being utterly isolated. It was a difficult transition for everyone in the world, but especially for older folks that are less technologically advanced.
Bottom Line
According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, “love and belonging” is the centre of the pyramid. Humans need to interact with other humans, and feel that they are cared for. A solitary life is not a happy life, and the elders in our society should not have to live their final years alone.
At Compassion Network Home Care, we understand the pain of isolation and the desire for a companion. If you or your loved one are struggling with being alone, call us today to learn more about our companionship services and what we can do for you!
