The Benefits of Companionship in a Senior’s Life
Proper nutrition, exercise, and enough sleep are the common ingredients to having a long, healthy, and happy life. However, researchers claim it lacks one ingredient: companionship.
Many adults have the privilege of finding companionship from people in their workplace, with their friends, and at home. But it is a totally different story for older adults.
They have already retired from their jobs. Their friends may be miles away from them. Their children have already moved away. Who is then left to give them company?
Seniors have enjoyed the following benefits of companionship:
1. Living longer
Seniors who are isolated from peers and family members become depressed. And when this depression settles in, their health pays the price. Their well-being deteriorates, making recovery slow. But when older adults are engaged in their social network, things change for the better.
2. Being with people increases their happiness meter. Companionship gives them their needed socialization which helps combat isolation and depression. This gives a positive impact on their health making them live longer.
3. Helps prevent dementia
Dementia is an age-related condition that can be prevented or slowed down by tickling your mind to work. To help exercise one’s mental functions, older adults engage in various brain exercises.
4. Interacting with people gives seniors the chance to let their cognitive functions work. Through companionship, seniors do not have to solve millions of puzzles to boost their memory. Just talking to someone for ten minutes can improve their mental health.
5. Reducing the risk of heart disease
Heart disease remains to be one of the top 5 causes of death among older adults in the United States of America. And one of the reasons why older adults acquire this disease is because they were isolated from the society.
Those who do not socially engage with other people have a higher tendency of having heart disease. And those with this problem may even suffer from a stroke.
6. Recovering fast
Even if you are enjoying the finest Senior In Home Care Services in Lincolnwood, Illinois, we know that you will not be able to recuperate fast if you feel down all the time. Happiness is one secret to recovering fast. If you feel happy, your body releases the happy hormones that aid in healing.
7. Having peace of mind
As they grow older, it is dangerous for older adults to live alone. They begin to think of their safety as they lose their strength and mobility to age. Companions give seniors a sense of security. They provide assistance thus limiting the worries of the older adult and their families.
Finding the Right Caregiver for a Loved One Can Be Difficult
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5 Traits a Good Caregiver Must Possess
When opting for getting home care for your senior loved ones instead of a shared residential facility, the most important step is to find the right caregiver for the job. For some, this may take a few trial and error, but others will be able to get one spot on, especially when employing help through a home care provider that will take care of the preliminary screening and background checks. Even so, it is important to know the caregiver yourself first, in order to see if they possess the following traits which will enable them to provide the right care for your elderly loved ones:
1. Dependability
You are entrusting your loved one’s day-to-day life in the hands of the caregiver, which is why a very essential trait every caregiver should possess is dependability or their capability to be fully relied on for their job. This means that you should be able to count on them to show up on time and deliver their tasks and services with efficiency even when no one around is watching.
2. Patience
Taking care of an elderly individual would definitely require much patience as these seniors may no longer possess the dexterity and perfect use of their senses that they once had before. Patience and understanding are keys to providing wholesome and compassionate care and every caregiver should possess an infinite amount of it.
3. Attentiveness
Every caregiver should be alert and attentive when it comes to the needs of the person they are taking care of. This attentiveness should also extend to the caregiver being able to notice anything in the care recipient’s surroundings that will require their immediate attention. This way, you are assured that no harm will befall on your elderly loved ones under the caregiver’s care.
4. Trustworthiness
Being handed the responsibility of taking care of your elderly loved one in their home would mean the caregiver having access to the belongings of the person they are taking care of. These belongings may include precious articles and valuables which can be very tempting to the eye. One very essential trait of a good caregiver, therefore, is trustworthiness. This means that they should have the discipline and honesty to prevent themselves from breaching the trust given to them and taking advantage of the elderly they are taking care of.
5. Compassion
Lastly, a good caregiver must have their heart set on what they’re doing. This means feeling and empathizing for the person they are taking care of in order to provide genuine care.