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Easing Loneliness For Seniors
After last week’s article on the serious consequences of what some have called the “senior loneliness epidemic”, we have some very effective suggestions for counteracting loneliness and isolation. If you’re worried about an older friend or family member, or are yourself feeling the effects of isolation, consider these solutions. Look for a new living situation. Staying in your home after family and friends move away, can lead to social isolation. Women are more likely to live alone as they get older. Seniors who live in some kind of senior community will often say they wish they had moved sooner. In these communities social activities and social interaction are easy to access, and feelings of loneliness are much less prevalent. Solve any transportation issues. Social isolation can be caused by a lack of transportation, which can then impact one’s social life. Keep in mind that most cities have great transportation options for seniors. Contact your local agency on aging for more […]
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Loneliness In Later Life
Many recent studies have linked loneliness in the elderly population with declining health and earlier death. The statistics on isolation and loneliness are sobering. One study found that adults 60 or older who described themselves as lonely were 59% more likely to show a decrease in their ability to carry out daily activities. A study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry found that elderly people who thought of themselves as lonely, regardless of whether they lived alone, were twice as likely to develop dementia than others over a three year time frame. A recent study done by Brigham Young University looked at the health records of 300,000 adults, and they found that loneliness was a strong predictor of an early death. Just as strong a predictor as alcoholism or daily smoking. And it was an even better predictor than variables such as obesity or sedentary lifestyle. The researchers in this study urged that we need to acknowledge […]
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Meditation And Assisted Living May Help Ease Loneliness In Seniors
There are numerous reasons why someone might feel assisted living in Vancouver WA would be the right choice. Sometimes the decision to choose assisted living or some other senior housing setting may be due to memory issues or health issues. Sometimes the decision may be due to loneliness. Or perhaps you just want to “downsize” and let the burdens of managing a home fall on someone else so you can take advantage of activities you still enjoy. If your reason for considering some sort of assisted living in Vancouver WA or assisted living in Clark County is due to loneliness, there may be a different solution to try first. Turns out learning to meditate might help ease feelings of loneliness among seniors according to University of California, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Mellon University researchers. The participants were mostly women between the ages of 55 and 85. They enrolled in an eight-week program of “mindfulness-based stress reduction.” Randomly selected, some […]
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Caring For Aging Skin25 Feb 2016
You may notice the following changes as your skin ages. It becomes thinner and loses fat, looking less smooth than it used to. Veins and bones become more prominent through the skin. Scratches, cuts and […]
Short Term Options2 Feb 2016
Many seniors who are looking for senior housing don’t know about short term stay options that are available at many senior living communities. There are a few different reasons you or your loved one might […]