The Importance of Companionship

Recent studies conducted on loneliness in aging adults prove how important companionship can be to the health and well-being of an individual.  AgingCare cites a study conducted by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) that shows loneliness can hasten a senior’s decline and death.  UCSF’s reports that, “people 60-years-old and older who reported feeling lonely saw a 45 percent increase in their risk for death. Isolated elders also had a 59 percent greater risk of mental and physical decline than their more social counterparts.”

The study found that some seniors who are isolated seem to have lost the will to socialize and push people away.  For others, the feeling of loneliness may spring from the frustration of growing old and not being able to do the things they once enjoyed.  One unexpected result from the UCSF’s report was that two-thirds of the respondents who said they were lonely were married or living with someone.  The report showed that even while living in a nursing home or assisted living facility, some people still felt lonely. 

Care Novate suggests several things you can do to help a senior feel less isolated and alone.  They say it is important to engage your aging parent or loved one in conversations as it will help them feel appreciated and care for.  You need to take the time to ask questions and really listen to their stories about their past.  In addition you can help them to rekindle an interest in a hobby or to discover a new one, and find ways to help them socialize such as participating in a class.  

For families that live far away from their aging parent call frequently and send greeting cards or small gifts so they know you are thinking about them.  Also you may want to contact a home care agency such as SYNERGY HomeCare.  We provide companionship along with a host of other non-medical care services.  Contact us to learn more.   

Source:agingcare.com/Articles/loneliness-in-the-elderly-151549.htm,  carenovatemag.com/elderly-loneliness-older-adults-lonely/

SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the most trusted names in home care in Colorado serving the front range since 2006. We have grown to 5 offices and are adding 2 more locations in 2015, and our successful growth can be summarized by one word, "Service".   Our mission is to ensure that every client is treated with the upmost respect and dignity, and we strive to incorporate those beliefs into all of our home health care services. We are available 24/7 to listen to your unique story and provide you answers to all your questions.

Exercising our Brain

Just as continuing to exercise our bodies is important as we age, so is exercising our brains.  Researchers have discovered that keeping our brain active can increase its vitality and may even help to generate new brain cells.  The Alzheimer’s Association cites the following four areas to help reduce the risk of cognitive decline: physical health and exercise, diet and nutrition, cognitive activity, and social engagement.

A Harvard Health Publication reports on “6 simple steps to keep your mind sharp at any age” that outlines ways to help prevent cognitive decline and reduce your risk of dementia.  The first suggestion is to keep learning because challenging your brain with mental exercises is “believed to activate processes that help maintain individual brain cells and stimulate communication among them.”  The second step is to use all of your senses as the more senses that are involved in learning something; the easier it is to remember it. 

Believe in yourself is the next tip and reminds us that we need to continue to work on improving and maintaining our memory and not just accept the fact that old people forget.  Also they suggest prioritizing your brain use by organizing and designating systems to remember daily, routine things and save your brain for more important tasks such as learning new things.  Another step when you want to remember something is to repeat it out loud or to write it down.  Lastly they say to space out something you want to remember over a longer period of time rather than just repeating it over and over again all at once.  In other words, think about it again in an hour, then a few hours later and then once a day, etc. 

The Alzheimer’s Association suggests that to keep our brains healthy we need to stay curious and involved.  They recommend daily exercising our brain with activities such as:

·         Reading, writing, and doing crossword or other puzzles

·         Attending lectures and plays

·         Enrolling in continuing education courses

·         Playing games

·         Gardening

·         Memory exercises

Source:health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/6-simple-steps-to-keep-your-mind-sharp-at-any-age 

alz.org/we_can_help_stay_mentally_active.asp

At SYNERGY HomeCare, we are one of the most trusted names in home care in Colorado serving the front range since 2006. We have grown to 5 offices and will be adding 2 more locations in 2015 and our successful growth can be summarized by one word, "Service".   Our mission is to ensure that every client is treated with the upmost respect and dignity, and we strive to incorporate those beliefs into all of our home health care services. We are available 24/7 to listen to your unique story and provide you answers to all your questions.

Hobbies Provide Health Benefits for Seniors

Hobbies are not only a fun way to spend leisure time but can be good for you.  Depending on the type of hobby, they can help to exercise your mind or exercise your body, and some do both.  In addition spending time doing things you enjoy can help you stay more interested in life, and most hobbies do not cost a lot to participate.

Creative hobbies such as painting, crafting, sculpting, woodworking, and photography can be enjoyed at any age.   The performing arts also provide another fun option for people of all ages.  In many communities, you can find a number of amateur or professional theater productions, and there are even theatrical groups geared just for seniors.  

Another great hobby for seniors is swimming.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that swimming offers a number of benefits for aging adults such as decreasing the risk of chronic illness and improving the health of those with heart disease and diabetes.   Also people can exercise longer in water than on land without joint or muscle pain.  In fact swimming can actually help to lessen osteoarthritis pain and improve joint health for seniors suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The CDC also says swimming can decrease depression and help to improve mood in both men and women. 

Yoga and other forms of stretching exercises are becoming more popular with seniors as it can help to improve flexibility and movement as well as to improve blood flow to the brain, heart and circulatory system.  There are many levels of yoga classes including chair yoga for those that are unable to get down on the floor. 

Another hobby that many seniors enjoy is genealogy and family tree scrapbooking.   Finding out more about your family history and putting together important pieces of your family history into a scrapbook or creating a family tree will be something of interest to your children and grandchildren.  This is a good way to organize and display family documents, photographs, memorabilia, awards, citations, and letters into your scrapbook.

* Before starting any physical activity, be sure to check with your doctor. 

Sources: caregiverrelief.com/activities-for-senior-citizens/

cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/health_benefits_water_exercise.html

At SYNERGY HomeCare, we are one of the most respected names in home care in Colorado serving the front range since 2006. Currently we have 5 offices and will be adding 2 more locations in 2015, and our successful growth can be summarized by one word, "Service".  Our mission is to make sure that every client is treated with the upmost respect and dignity, and we strive to incorporate those beliefs into all of our home health care services. We are available 24/7 to listen to your unique story and provide you answers to all your questions.

Home Modifications to Remain Safely at Home

A 2011 AARP research report indicates that, “almost 90 percent of people over age 65 would rather remain at home as long as they're able, and 80 percent of older Americans have firm plans to stay put.”  One of the obstacles to that are many seniors own older homes that are more challenging to live in and may have slippery surfaces or stairs that are difficult to navigate.  We know that falls for seniors are a real concern as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports thousands of seniors fall at home each year.  To help you or a loved one remain at home more safely and comfortably, there are a few modifications you can do that do not cost a fortune.     

Even small changes to a senior’s home may make the difference of maintaining their independence or needing to move into an assisted living facility.  Eldercare Locator, a public service of the Administration on Aging and part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says, “Modifications can range from something as simple as replacing cabinet doorknobs with pull handles to full-scale construction projects that require installing wheelchair ramps and widening doorways. 

So where do you start?  Eldercare Locator recommends evaluating your current and future needs room by room throughout your home.  There are checklists available that highlight the type of changes that may be needed.  Minor modifications include things like installing grab bars where needed, changing or adding light fixtures, and installing faucets and cabinet handles that are easy to operate.  Other simple changes are adapting closets so things are within reach and adding a chair in the kitchen so you can sit down while preparing meals.      

Minor modifications should be able to be done for as little as $150 to $2,000.  The National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modifications (NRCSHHM) is one of the best resources for more information.

Source:eldercare.gov/Eldercare.NET/Public/Resources/Factsheets/Home_Modifications.aspx

Serving the Front Range since 2006, SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the most respected names in home care in Colorado. Currently we have 5 offices and will be adding 2 more locations in 2015, and our successful growth can be summarized by one word, "Service".  Our mission is to ensure every client is treated with the upmost respect and dignity, and we strive to incorporate those beliefs into all of our home health care services. We are available 24/7 to listen to your unique story and provide you answers to all your questions.