Staying Socially Connected

For elderly individuals, staying socially connected can be difficult. However, maintaining social contact is important for an individual’s well-being and their health. There have been studies that indicate social contact can increase physical and mental health, reduce disease and lead to increased longevity. If your elderly loved one is expressing a desire for more social contact then you can suggest some options for them.

Social Media

Social media can be incredibly helpful in staying connected. It can allow an individual to remain involved in their friends and family’s lives remotely, so it can be a wonderful tool for the elderly. If you know an elderly individual who is looking to become more connected in their friends lives introduce them to Facebook. It may be difficult at first, but if you show them how to properly and safely use the site then they can add friends and stay in touch. This type of connection will help them to feel more included and active in their friends and family’s lives.

Volunteer

If your elderly loved one is active and looking for opportunities to get out of the house then you can suggest that they volunteer. They can take the time to volunteer at a local food pantry or at a local school. Whichever environment they choose will be beneficial to their well-being. This will provide them with the opportunity to interact with other individuals and to make new friends.

Planning

Another great way to maintain social interaction is through planning and scheduling. Take some time to talk to your elderly loved about setting up specific times to call them or to interact with them. You can encourage them to set up a routine that involves meeting with one or more of their friends.

Senior Center

Your local senior center can be an incredible resource for your elderly loved one. If you’re concerned that they’re not interacting enough and are withdrawing from social situations, reach out to your senior center. They will have activities to suggest and they will have a wealth of information on how to help your elderly loved one stay connected.

However you approach it, you need to keep your elderly loved one socially connected for their well-being!

Winter Safety Reminder

Did you know that the first few weeks of February are among the stormiest? Storms and cold weather can pose a serious risk for the elderly. For advice on how to help your elderly loved ones, take a look at our past post by clicking here.

Tips for Helping an Individual Who Is Experiencing Depression

Depression is something that we’ve covered before. It can be especially prominent in the elderly population, especially with winter’s decreased hours of sunlight and cold weather. As a caregiver, it can be difficult to see your elderly loved one experiencing depression. It’s easy to try to blame yourself and it can be hard not to internalize everything, but as a caregiver you can’t do that. Here are some things to do when you are caring for an individual with depression:

Bring your loved one to a medical professional.

Make sure they are being properly evaluated and supported by a physician.

Educate yourself on the symptoms and signs of depression and remember that it is a clinical diagnosis.

Take some time to learn about the disease and ask your elderly loved one’s physician about the symptoms and signs. If you know that a certain behavior is linked to depression, then you will be less likely to blame yourself.

Try to schedule time to bring your elderly loved one outside.

You can rearrange their schedule to maximize your time outside so that they can get some time in the sun. This will help increase Vitamin D production and will help to increase their mood.

Support them and be there for them.

Encourage your elderly loved one to talk about what they are experiencing or feeling, and make a plan to work through their feelings. Whether it is going to a movie when they are feeling down or just staying in and talking, you can work with your elderly loved one to show them that you are there to support them.

Keep them on any prescribed treatments.

This is perhaps one of the most important things to do as a caregiver, but these treatments will help them recover.

Take time out of your day for yourself.

This is incredibly important. You can’t support your elderly loved one if you are emotionally drained and exhausted. Take at least fifteen minutes every day and take some time to yourself.

For more information, you can visit the following website:

WebMD: When A Loved One Has Depression