Loneliness and isolation are unfortunately all too common for many Southwest Michigan seniors today. The loss of a spouse, not having any family members in the immediate area, or even the inability to drive to visit family and friends can cause older adults to feel lonely and may even lead to depression. Recent data is both startling and disturbing: seniors who suffer from loneliness and isolation are twice as unhealthy as those who are obese, and have a 14 percent greater risk of dying earlier than those experiencing normal socialization. And with as many as 20 to 40 percent of older adults reporting feelings of loneliness, Home Sweet Home In-Home Care believes we need to pay particular attention to this dangerous trend.
According to John Cacioppo, Professor of the University of Chicago Department of Psychology, “People are becoming more isolated, and this health problem is likely to grow.”
It’s important to note that preventing loneliness involves more than simply providing people for lonely Michigan seniors to interact with, although that is important. It is also a matter of reshaping their negative sense of self-worth and how others perceive them.
Hiring a professional caregiver from a reputable Southwest Michigan home care agency like Home Sweet Home In-Home Care can go a long way towards fostering feelings of belonging in lonely seniors. Our dedicated caregivers can provide companionship, develop enjoyable and engaging activities for seniors, play games, scrapbook, and provide transportation so seniors can get out of the house and feel more connected to their community.
Contact Home Sweet Home In-Home Care‘s Kalamazoo MI home health care experts to learn more about the health and quality of life benefits that can be realized through a caregiver-senior bond. We are located in Paw Paw and St. Joseph, Michigan and provide caregiving services to older adults throughout Van Buren, Berrien, Cass and Kalamazoo counties in Michigan.