Deep and meaningful relationships are important at every stage of life. However, these connections can become especially crucial in the senior years. The Oakville home care experts at Home Care Assistance discuss 5 reasons why your elderly loved one should maintain strong friendships.
1. Gain a Sense of Purpose
Friendships can give seniors a sense of purpose, especially if their ability to engage in long-cherished activities starts to wane. Seniors who remain socially engaged tend to age far more successfully than those who do not. This is largely attributed to the sense of value elderly people gain from having other people in their lives who need and appreciate them.
2. Stay Motivated
Keeping your loved one active can be infinitely easier if he or she has a workout partner. Going to senior swim, dance, or aerobics classes is bound to be more enjoyable when done in the company of a close friend. Seniors with friends are also more likely to find a vast range of creative ways to keep themselves mentally and physically active than those who spend too much time on their own.
3. Keep a Positive Outlook
Nothing can make a bad day better like a good friend. Friends who are positive, motivated, and upbeat can have an impressive impact on a senior’s mindset. Being around uplifting people can help your loved one achieve and maintain a balanced mood and positive outlook.
4. Help Others
True friendships are characterized by an ongoing exchange of emotions and ideas. Not surprisingly, many aging adults take positive steps for their friends they may not even take for themselves. Your loved one may enjoy encouraging his or her friends to eat better, exercise more, and engage in more mentally and physically challenging activities.
5. Create Feelings of Camaraderie
Seniors have a lot to adapt to, and there are times when new and challenging developments can rear their heads at a seemingly constant rate. Strong friendships provide seniors with the opportunity to vent their problems and find new and creative ways to look at the bright side of things. Because aging adults often meet on common ground in regards to their health, they can empathize with and comfort each other more effectively than two people who are managing radically different challenges.
Without social stimulation and companionship, seniors may develop feelings of isolation, which leads to loneliness and depression. If your loved one needs a trusted friend who can provide plenty of engaging activities and help with various daily tasks, turn to Home Care Assistance. Our compassionate caregivers are valuable not just for their expertise in elderly care, but also for their ability to bond with the seniors they care for. In addition to our part-time and live-in care services, we also offer specialized Parkinson’s, post-stroke, and dementia care Oakville, ON, seniors can count on. For more information on our at-home care services, please call one of our friendly Care Managers at (905) 337-1200 today.