Feelings of loneliness and depression aren’t uncommon in the elderly, and many seniors aren’t always sure how to reclaim positivity in their lives. However, sometimes just a few simple lifestyle changes can wash the negative feelings away. Here are a few suggestions for how to help your senior loved one prevent loneliness and depression.
Volunteering
Encourage your loved one to volunteer for a cause he or she feels strongly about. Even if it’s just for a few hours a week, volunteering gives your loved one the opportunity to help others and build friendships, which can prevent the isolation that often leads to depression. Your loved one’s local senior center, church groups, and hospitals can put him or her in touch with volunteer opportunities in the community.
Maintaining a high quality of life can be challenging for some seniors, but professional caregivers can help them attain this goal. Families can trust Tucson elderly home care experts to help their elderly loved ones focus on lifestyle choices that increase the chances of living longer and healthier lives.
Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle
Exhaustion and depression are often linked, but eating healthy foods and taking a daily multivitamin can provide adequate nourishment and energy to counter depression. Seniors should aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night to keep exhaustion at bay, and engaging in mild to moderate daily exercise can also build up energy and boost mood.
If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of senior care. Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
Finding a Hobby
Hobbies can engage the mind and build motivation to stave off depression, and some hobbies encourage social interaction, which can prevent loneliness. Many hobbies are inexpensive and can even be performed by seniors with limited mobility. Here are some hobbies you might want to suggest for your loved one:
- Painting
- Writing
- Reading/joining a book club
- Photography
- Gardening
Adopting a Pet
Studies show pets can promote both physical and emotional health in the elderly through companionship, entertainment, and unconditional love. Having a pet can give your loved one a renewed sense of meaning and purpose and can create opportunities to be more physically active and meet other people.
Taking a Class
Many community colleges and universities offer courses specifically designed for older adults. The classes are typically inexpensive and cover a broad range of topics that can spark imagination and creativity. Learning a new skill can provide your loved one with mental stimulation and opportunities for socialization that combat depression and loneliness.
For families living in Tucson, 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 Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home. To learn about our premier in-home care plans and how they can help your loved one, give us a call at (520) 276-6555 today.