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Loneliness Links to Health

July 22, 2019

Erie Seniors Who Suffer from Loneliness Are At Risk of Health Problems and Premature Death

Lack of Contact with Others is a Serious Issue Among Erie Seniors

Health Problems Associated With Senior Loneliness

Sometimes, a senior has no local network of family and friends, and feels disconnected from his or her community. Other times, a senior may withdraw into isolation as a result of health conditions, depression, or mental illness. Fear of falling can also keep a senior isolated in their home, as can fatigue, chronic pain, or shame over memory problems. As a result, older adults may be alone for days or even weeks without someone to watch over them.
 
Senior Loneliness Health Problems:
  • Loneliness Affects Seniors’ Brains and may speed up the onset of dementia.
  • Loneliness Harms Seniors’ Hearts. The Journal of the American Medical Association demonstrated a proven link between loneliness and heart disease.
  • Loneliness Can Mean a Shorter Lifespan for Seniors
Ways You Can Help Protect Seniors from Loneliness
  • Help seniors become more social-media savvy through their use of email, news sites and sites of interest
  • Provide companionship with conversation and activities such as cooking and eating together, reading aloud to the senior, playing games, scrapbooking, listening to music, or taking a walk.
  • Provide transportation to seniors so they may visit family and friends, go shopping, attend events, and visit outdoor venues such as parks.
  • Help a loved one find support and/or social groups at senior centers, YMCAs, places of worship ─ wherever seniors tend to gather.
  • Isolation and loneliness are key signs that a senior lacks the support and tools needed to live a healthy, independent life and may be spiraling into decline.
Click Here to learn how Home Care Services from BrightStar Care of Eire help reduce senior isolation and increase a senior’s activity and wellbeing.

Source: https://www.brightstarcare.com/erie/home-care/companion-care-services
 
BrightStar Care of Erie provides a full continuum of in home care services comprised of companionship, personal care, dementia care, transportation and more to improve clients’ health and quality of life.
 
To learn more about our local team of caregivers, healthcare professionals, and home health care support for Erie families and businesses – Click Here

Source: https://www.brightstarcare.com/erie