Seniors face a lot of different challenges as they grow older. If seniors live alone and start to experience trouble maintaining some of the social connections they’ve relied on in the past, they may start to gradually become lonely. They’re not likely to mention that’s happen, however. How can family caregivers recognize this is happening? There are some signs family caregivers can watch out for that can indicate it’s time to consider solutions like companion care at home.
Reduced Communication
One incredibly subtle sign of a need for something different could be that seniors aren’t communicating with friends and family members the way they did in the past. This is a sign that they might be withdrawing a little bit and spending more time alone. Reducing communication in this manner can signal that seniors are feeling lonely or isolated already, and they respond by becoming more isolated.
Lack of Interest in Hobbies
When seniors stop doing the activities and hobbies that they used to love doing, that can signal a change as well. Sometimes this happens because seniors are dealing with other health issues, like arthritis, that might make their favorite activities more difficult. Other times, this happens because seniors are having trouble maintaining interest in just about anything. Reduced interest in hobbies and activities can point to seniors feeling lonely and not having the social engagement they need.
Mood Changes
Often what family caregivers and other friends and family members look for are signs of boredom or expressions of not wanting to be alone. Seniors might not be that obvious, though. Mood changes, like persistent sadness, increased irritability, or rapid shifts in mood may be much more informative. These mood changes are often a result of not having the social interaction that seniors need and want.
Avoiding Social Activities
There are lots of reasons seniors might start to avoid social activities. As with reduced communication, they could be dealing with depression or anxiety about socializing that cause them to withdraw even more. Or they could feel unprepared to be around other people because they feel out of practice. Regardless of the cause, spending time with companion care at home can help them want to branch out again.
Changes in Home or Personal Appearance
When seniors start to neglect their personal appearance or routine household tasks, there could be a lot going on. This is sometimes a sign that these tasks are becoming more difficult, and home care providers might be a good solution. Very often, these changes are a sign that seniors are having more emotional issues and could be feeling depressed or isolated. Spending time with other people again can help them to feel more interested in taking care of these daily tasks.
Any of these signs on their own could be an indication that there is more going on for seniors who are living alone. Giving companion care at home a try is an easy way for seniors and family caregivers to find a solution that works for seniors without being too intrusive or changing life too much.
If you or an aging loved one are considering companion care at home in Minnetonka, MN and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.
