One of the most common problems people face as they get older is loneliness. As you age, your connection with the world begins to fade due to physical or mental limitations and social isolation. Many seniors are confined to their homes and are unable to get out, meet new people, or even see old friends. The good news is that regular home care can help lessen loneliness in your loved one. Parkwood Home Care’s senior care services are designed to not only help take care of your loved one’s physical health but their mental health as well. That’s why it’s so crucial to us that families understand the importance of regular home care in easing symptoms of loneliness.
What causes seniors to experience loneliness?
Seniors can experience loneliness for a variety of reasons. Some seniors are lonely because their connection with the world around them has decreased. Maybe they have physical limitations that prevent them from easily leaving the house whenever they would like. Or, maybe they have mental limitations that cause them to feel confused and easily forget when the last time they saw a loved one was. Many seniors also find themselves grieving for the loved ones that they’ve lost as they’ve gotten older. They no longer have the companionship they used to, and they truly miss the people that they love.
Whatever the cause of your loved one’s loneliness, it’s important to understand why they feel the way they do and how senior care services can help them feel better.
What are the different types of loneliness that seniors can experience? 
There are several different kinds of loneliness that your loved one could be experiencing. These types of loneliness are caused by varying factors and can affect your loved one in a number of different ways. Three of the most common kinds of loneliness are social, emotional, and existential.
Social Loneliness
Many seniors feel social loneliness, which is a kind of loneliness caused by seniors having a limited connection with the world around them. Think about how often your loved one is able to leave the house by themselves. If they’ve found themselves stuck at home without frequent home care, their social interactions may be few and far between.
Emotional Loneliness
If your loved one has recently lost a spouse or dear friend, they may be experiencing emotional loneliness. They may feel grief at the thought that the one person in their life that would always be there with them and have the same experiences and feelings as them is now gone.
Existential Loneliness
Existential loneliness is another one of the most common types of loneliness seniors feel. This is a kind of loneliness that occurs when someone feels out of place from the rest of the world. Seniors often feel as though they have been left behind by the younger generations, leading them to feel existential loneliness.
Can home care lessen loneliness?
The good news if your loved one is experiencing loneliness is that regular home care can help ease their symptoms. Part of quality senior care services is providing our seniors with consistent companionship that they can rely on. Knowing that someone who cares about them and will always be there at a certain time of day on specific days of the week can help your senior feel less alone. Additionally, caregivers can keep an eye on their patients – staying aware of any increases in loneliness or decreased mental health that need to be addressed.
Regular care for your loved one can also help mitigate any of the risks that chronic loneliness poses. Aside from poor mental health, chronic loneliness has also been linked to several serious health problems including depression, weakened immune systems, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep disorders, and cognitive decline. Ensuring that your loved one has regular visits from a dedicated caregiver can help keep them in good health as well as happy.
How can Parkwood Home Care’s CARE programs help my loved one feel less lonely?
The good news for anyone with a lonely loved one is that Parkwood Home Care has several different kinds of programs that they may qualify for depending on their unique needs. Our Halifax senior care programs are designed with respect in mind. Whether your loved one is in need of companion care, dementia care, or veterans care, Parkwood Home Care’s promise is that they will be given the attention and kindness that they deserve.
No matter if your loved one is suffering from loneliness due to feeling socially isolated or grieving the loss of one of their own loved ones, Parkwood Home Care’s home care can help them feel taken care of physically as well as emotionally. Contact us today to learn more about our senior care services and which one of our CARE programs would be a good fit for your loved one.