As your elderly loved one grows older, his or her risk of mental, emotional, and physical health issues can increase considerably. However, making sure you or someone else is available to visit your loved one on a regular basis can ensure these issues are caught in their earliest stages or even prevented. Here are some of the ways frequent visits can keep your loved one healthy and happy.
Reduce the Risk of Dementia
According to the World Health Organization, someone is diagnosed with dementia or a dementia-related disease every four seconds. While researchers aren’t exactly sure what causes these progressive disorders, they’ve discovered regular social interactions can minimize the side effects. A 2008 study published in the American Journal of Public Health found older women who maintained social networks had much lower rates of Alzheimer’s.
When issues related to cognitive health aren’t addressed, antisocial behavior can become a very real threat. According to the American Mental Health Counselors Association, stimulating activities such as puzzles, board games, or working on a family tree can slow the rate of cognitive decline. Scheduling time for you or a professional caregiver to visit your loved one and participate in activities like these can be crucial to his or her wellbeing.
Caring for a senior with dementia can be challenging for family caregivers. Luckily, there is dementia care Arlington families can rely on. Professional dementia caregivers help seniors with dementia stay safe and comfortable at home by preventing wandering, providing cognitive stimulation, and assisting with household chores.
Prevent Depression
In addition to losing some of their mental acuity, older adults experiencing cognitive decline often develop emotional and social disorders such as anxiety and depression. Clinical depression can affect every aspect of a senior’s life, including physical wellbeing. While depression should be treated with professional medical help, caregivers can spot the warning signs early on and limit the impact it has on their loved ones’ lives.
Caregivers, family members, and friends should stop by frequently so they can provide your loved one with social stimulation and keep an eye out for unusual changes in his or her personality, weight, and attitude. A little extra emotional support in the earliest stages of depression can prevent more serious conditions.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional in-home care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Encourage Physical Activity
Without the proper motivation, many older adults find themselves becoming more sedentary as time goes on. Regular visits with your loved one can be the perfect time to engage in a little physical activity together and get his or her heart rate up. Even just 30 minutes of walking around the block or taking a stroll through the park can provide a number of physical benefits to keep your loved one healthy.
Frequent visits and care assure your loved one that he or she is an important part of your life. If you’re unable to visit your aging loved one often, consider hiring a professional caregiver. When searching for reliable Arlington home care agencies, families want to know their senior loved ones will be well taken care of. At Assisting Hands Home Care, our expertly trained caregivers are available around the clock to assist with tasks around the house, provide transportation to medical appointments and social events, and much more. Call us at (703) 988-1800 to create a customized in-home care plan.
