One of the challenges of getting older is the isolation that can come with that spending more time at home. The loss of workplace social connections, as well as less social activity, can have a significant effect on a person, with approximately one in five older Australians reporting they feel socially isolated.[1] Social isolation can negatively affect a person’s mental and physical health[2] and even contribute to premature death.[3] At Home Care Assistance, we consider more than just our client’s physical needs, and understand the value of social connections. Our Care Professionals providing in-home care can help foster social connections and prevent social isolation.
Staying connected is important for everyone, including seniors, all year round. However, during the holiday period, which is traditionally a social time, seniors can feel the effects of social isolation even more than usual. It is a time when we often feel the need to connect with family and friends and an inability to do that can lead to social isolation and loneliness. The provision of in-home care can help overcome some of the obstacles that lead to social isolation, particularly during the holiday period.
How Can In-Home Care Foster Social Connections?
Four ways which in-home Care Professionals foster social connections include:
- In-home Care Professionals can assist yourself or your loved one in getting out of the house and meeting up with friends. This helps maintain social connections that already exist.
- Our Care Professionals can assist in finding and attending social events in the local community aimed at seniors. This can include events at local community centres. These activities are great for keeping active, discovering new interests, and making new social connections.
- Care Professionals providing in-home care can also help yourself or your loved one navigate technology to maintain social connections. Using technology, especially video calls, is a great way to stay connected. This is especially important for those older people who are more housebound – whether that be permanently or temporarily due to recent illness or surgery. Video calls can even be used to make a guest appearance at events that an older person is unable to attend due to distance or health reasons.
- Having a Care Professional provide in-home care in itself provides a social connection for isolated seniors. Having a Care professional attend the home, provides isolated seniors with regular contact. At Home Care Assistance, our Care Professionals not only provide the physical care you or your loved one needs, but also the social connection that is needed through chatting, having a cup of tea, or even just seeing a friendly face.
Social isolation is prevalent amongst older Australians and can lead to physical and mental health issues as well as premature death. Having in-home care provides multiple avenues for overcoming social isolation for yourself or your loved one. Our Care Professionals can assist you or your loved one with social connectedness. So, if you or your loved one are feeling socially isolated, then speak to Home Care Assistance about how our in-home Care Professionals can help with this before the holiday season arrives.
Support of an in-home care agency like Home Care Assistance, can bring enormous benefit and comfort to your quality of life while living independently at home. Home Care Assistance has viable solutions when it comes to supporting independent living. For more information, get in touch with a Home Care Assistance near me today.
[1] https://www.ariia.org.au/knowledge-implementation-hub/social-isolation
[2] https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2022/03/iscoa-project-pilot-evaluation-informing-future-policy-evaluation-of-the-improving-social-connectedness-of-older-australians-project-pilot-informing-future-policy-considerations.pdf
[3] https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/social-isolation-and-loneliness
