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The U.S. Census Bureau reports that over 11 million Americans over 65 live alone. If you have a loved one in your life that you want to help – don’t worry. Distance doesn’t have to be a barrier with these care strategies Centennial Adult care Center has put together.

Increase Chances of Interaction

As we age, we become more susceptible to depression, alienation and anxiety – but being social helps. Here’s how you can improve your senior’s social life.

  • Reconnect with old friends: Try to find old friends and connections from your loved ones’ past using sites like ClassFinders. Finding these individuals can take hours spent on the internet to no avail, but by entering information like name and graduation date, you should be able to find your peers. All you need to do is input the data, add in the region (for example, White Creeks or surrounding area), and you’ll have quick results with options to reach out to long-ago friends!
  • Keep chatting: Constant communication is a great way to help your senior feel loved and wanted.
  • Facilitate social opportunities: Hobby groups like yoga, bingo, art, and quilting can be effective in helping them form new friendships.
  • Suggest enrolling in a senior center or Adult Day Health Care program! Just being around other individuals can significantly redue anxiety and depression.

Facilitate Spontaneous Opportunities

Once you’ve got the social activities going, go spontaneous to renew their zest for life!

  • Drop-in occasionally: Have tea or a meal together, so your loved one knows you value and cherish their company.
  • Diverse companionship: Try to take the kids, friends, or pets over for some novelty companionship.
  • Go on dates: Whether it’s meal prepping, watching a movie, or getting a meal together, spending quality time together will be critical.

Keep the Physical Activity Going

You’ve got your loved one feeling connected and supported. Next, help them get physically fit and active.

  • Enroll them in classes: Senior’s workout classes will be essential to helping them feel strong and independent.
  • Prioritize 30 minutes: A mere 30 minutes of exercise will be critical in warding off symptoms of mental and physical conditions (we offer at least an hour of exercise and two additional physical activities each day in our programs!)
  • Take them on an outing: A trip to the grocery store, library, or museum is a great way to get those steps in while engaging the mind.

Aging can come with a lot of stress and change, but loneliness doesn’t have to be one of them. Help your loved one navigate everyday challenges by implementing these easy-care strategies!

Contributed by Millie Jones