Loneliness is reaching epidemic proportions among seniors. Seniors that are aging in place need to make sure that they are taking steps to get the social interaction that they need to stay physically and mentally healthy because being at home can make it challenging to connect with others. Companion care at home is a smart way for seniors to get that valuable social interaction and build social connections. Seniors that find it difficult to get out because they can’t drive or have poor mobility can thrive with companion care at home where a companion comes to their house to hang out, share meals, do activities, and have conversations.
You probably already know the most common signs of loneliness in seniors, but you may not be aware that these four behaviors can also indicate that your senior parent is lonely:
Manic Spending
If you notice that your senior parent has started going on massive spending sprees or that there are an awful lot of packages arriving at their house daily that manic spending could be a sign of loneliness. They could be trying to fill their emptiness with the high that comes from shopping. If they are buying gifts for you and your siblings, neighbors, and friends they may also be trying to buy attention because they aren’t getting the attention they need.
Trouble Completing Everyday Tasks
If you visit your senior loved one and notice that they are having trouble with tasks that they never used to have difficulty with like operating doors and drawers, finishing a conversation, or doing other small tasks that could be a sign that they are really lonely. Isolation can have a bad impact on a senior’s mental health and that could be manifesting as having trouble completing tasks.
Calling Excessively
Are you frustrated because your senior parent is calling you multiple times throughout the day just to chat or check in? Don’t be frustrated. Do be concerned. That kind of excessive calling is often a sign that your senior parent isn’t getting enough socialization so they are reaching out to you to fill the void. Companion care at home can take the edge off so that you can get through the day without getting phone calls at work or while you’re doing other things just because your senior parent is lonely or bored.
Spending Too Much Time On Social Media Or Oversharing
Seniors who are aging in place and don’t have strong social connections may turn to social media to get the connection they crave. If you notice that your senior parent is spending hours on social media every day or staying up late at night on social media that’s a sign of loneliness. So is oversharing, where your senior loved one shares too much information about sensitive topics like their health or their love life. If you notice that your senior loved one is posting inappropriate or sensitive things on social media step in and see what you can do to help them get more socialization.
If you or an aging loved one is considering companion care at home in McKinney, TX, please contact the caring staff at Clear Path Home Care today. Call 817-928-5788
Clear Path Home Care provides compassionate, high quality home care in Denton County, Montague County, Cooke County, Grayson County, Fannin County, Lamar County, Wise County, Collin County, Hunt County, Delta County, and Hopkins County in Texas.
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