Seniors may not be able to physically return to their youth, but they can benefit in many ways from spending time with people of all different ages. Here are a few reasons your elderly loved one should make an effort to stay connected with the younger generation.
Reduces Isolation
Some seniors face health-related challenges that limit their opportunities to engage with others. Isolation can lead to depression and even exacerbate their physical symptoms. Interacting with young people can provide a renewed sense of purpose and energy that helps your loved one overcome the mental and physical effects of his or her condition.
For families living in Portland, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Align Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
Maintains Cognitive Function
A broad social circle of friends and consistent contact with others provides the brain with the stimulation it needs to stay sharp. Interactions between generations are a wonderful opportunity for the sharing and learning of new skills. For example, a young person can challenge your loved one by teaching him or her how to operate a new piece of technology. Your loved one can then return the favor by teaching the young person an important life skill like cooking or gardening.
Aids in Recovery
Interacting with children can serve as a form of physical and occupational therapy for seniors recovering from serious illnesses. For example, reading to a young child can help your loved one regain language skills following a stroke. Playing with blocks or helping a child dress a doll can even increase coordination and manual dexterity in seniors with Parkinson’s.
If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of in-home care. Align Home Care is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years. From the mentally stimulating activities in our Cognitive Therapeutics Method to our friendly Care Managers who are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, we offer a wide array of high-quality at-home care services.
Creates a Legacy
As we get older, it’s common to start thinking about the legacy we’ll leave behind. We all want to know our time on this earth will be remembered. One way your loved one can make an impact is by sharing his or her history, heritage, and culture with a young person. For example, your loved one can work with the young person to create a scrapbook of family photos and stories that can be passed down through future generations. The young person could also act as a journalist and interview your loved one about his or her experiences during key historical events.
The desire for companionship knows no age. In Portland, home care service agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Align Home Care, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy. To schedule a free in-home consultation, give us a call at (207) 835-3490 today.