Is your elderly loved one isolating themselves from others in the family? Maybe they are even isolating themselves from their friends. If so, it is important to help your loved one to overcome this. They may be going through a lot, but isolation can make things worse. They need people who will be there to support them and help them out. This includes family members, friends, elder care providers, and even neighbors. It is important to know what is causing your loved one to isolate. From there, you can help them to get through it. 

Grief from a Loss 

Has your elderly loved one recently suffered a loss? Maybe their spouse or another family member has passed away? Maybe they have lost a friend or two due to health issues or old age. Suffering a loss and grieving from it can cause anyone to isolate. However, you must assure your elderly loved one that you are there for them. Don’t let them suffer or grieve alone. Yes, they can be by themselves sometimes, but doing so regularly is only going to make things worse. 

No Transportation  

Do you live a bit far from your elderly loved one? Are they isolating themselves? If so, do they get out often? Maybe they don’t have an affordable or reliable mode of transportation. This could cause someone to isolate and feel alone. If this is the case, it might be time for you to hire your loved one an elder care provider. They can transport your loved one to a friend’s or family member’s house. They can take your loved one to town to spend time there or to shop. Having proper transportation and being able to get out more is one way to help your loved one to stop isolating themselves. 

Experiencing Symptoms of a Disease or Disorder 

If your elderly loved one has recently started isolating themselves from others, they could also be trying to hide a disease or disorder they have. Maybe they don’t even know what that disease or disorder is at this point, but they are experiencing symptoms of something. This could be chronic headaches, abdominal issues, high blood pressure, or memory loss. Just because your loved one is hiding these symptoms from others doesn’t mean they don’t want treatment or a diagnosis. They might just be scared of what is happening or what the diagnosis might be. Let your elderly loved one know that you are there for them no matter what they are diagnosed with. Tell them you care about them and will support them through anything. This could help them to stop isolating.  

These are some of the common causes of isolation in elderly adults. If your elderly loved one is dealing with these things, let them know you are there for them and help them in any way that you can.  

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Elder Care in Charleston, SC, contact Heart of the Carolinas Home Care at 864-991-3116.  Providing Home Care Services in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Anderson, Spartanburg, Mauldin, Seneca, Laurens, Charleston, Columbia and the surrounding areas. 

Sources 

https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/social-isolation-loneliness-older-people-pose-health-risks 

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Edward Harrison

Founder at Heart of the Carolinas

Edward Harrison founded the Heart of the Carolinas Homecare in 2007 when he saw there was a need for caregivers that provide non-medical home care services, at a price that most people could afford. It was standard in the industry to require hourly minimums and it was common to be assigned a caregiver, not matched with one based on your individual personal needs. Edward understood that to make a successful relationship between caregiver and client, skills were not enough, personality and compatibility plays as much a role as do skills.

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