Social isolation and loneliness are serious health concerns for seniors that can dramatically impact their physical well-being, mental health, and overall quality of life. Their impacts include a 29% increased likelihood of mortality and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, high blood pressure and obesity, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and a weakened immune system. Communication helps reduce this issue, with studies showing that seniors who regularly communicate experience better cognitive health, lower anxiety and depression, reduced rates of chronic illness, improved mobility, and more. If you have a loved one who is home alone for various hours of their day, the following strategies can ensure they have a better chance of regularly communicating with others.
Planning a senior loved one’s day alongside them
Seniors can have various degrees of independence. In the US, around 28% of people aged 65 or more live by themselves, including around six million men and over 10 million women. Community studies have shown that at any given time, around 32% of adults aged over 55 feel lonely. There are ways around having to spend so much time alone. One is respite services or care, in which seniors can spend part of their day in a respite centre or be visited at home by professionals who can also take care of tasks like cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping. Seniors opting for this arrangement can still enjoy their independence while having others to talk to, interact with, and even perform their favourite hobbies with.
Actively listening to seniors
Family members who regularly visit or care for seniors can encourage communication by employing active listening skills. Active listening involves being patient and allowing a speaker the time they need to say what they wish to. It additionally comprises asking open-ended questions to encourage dialogue, employing body language (such as nodding and gentle touch) to ensure the speaker feels heard, and avoiding interrupting others or giving them unsolicited advice. It also involves reflecting on what the speaker has said to ensure that their message is being understood. Loved ones can encourage seniors to speak more by choosing quiet, comfortable settings for conversations and minimising background noise.
Leveraging top tech
Many seniors have beloved friends and family members who may be separated from them by distance. Their younger loved ones can lend a helping hand by setting up Facebook, WhatsApp, or Zoom calls with these people. They can also take time to teach older loved ones how to open social media accounts and use them to keep in touch with old classmates, friends, and family members. They can make tech use easier for loved ones by purchasing smartphones and tablets with features such as large screens with bright displays and tech with large buttons, simple navigation systems, and long battery life. They can also consider home devices with voice-activated controls, which can help seniors set reminders for calls, create lists and share them with friends, and control other smart home devices.
Joining community events for seniors
Seniors may also benefit from meeting new people with shared interests. Civitas Senior Living in Fort Worth, Texas, for instance, hosts happy hours, educational seminars, and live entertainment. Depending on the state you live in, there are a host of organisations catering to senior citizens. From the Senior Source in Dallas, Texas to Senior First Night in Boston, Massachusetts, numerous activities can help your senior loved one find people to share their thoughts and emotions with.
Lack of communication exacerbates the isolation felt by so many seniors in the US and beyond. Family can step in by spending more time with their older loved ones and by employing active listening skills. They can also consider respite care and community activities as a way for seniors to meet others who share their passions.
Ellen Diamond, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
