Everybody is lonely from time to time, but if that’s the normal situation for your senior, she may be experiencing some side effects from her loneliness. It’s important to know how not having enough contact with others might affect your senior’s overall health.

She Might Have More Rapid Cognitive Decline

There’s a lot of evidence in studies of brain health and dementia that point to a possibility that loneliness can lead to faster cognitive decline in seniors. That isn’t to say that everyone who experiences loneliness will definitely develop dementia, but it does possibly increase those risk factors that your senior already has. Talk to your senior about her current risk factors for brain health issues and see what you may be able to do to help her.

She Could Have More Heart Health Issues

If your elderly family member is already dealing with cardiovascular health issues, loneliness might increase her risk of worsening those heart health issues. Interestingly, whether your senior actually is lonely and isolated or simply perceives herself to be, the risk might be similar. Having help from elder care providers on a regular basis might be able to help her to feel less isolated, and possibly lower her risk factors. Again, talk with your senior’s doctor to get more accurate assessments of her risks.

It Might Be Easier for Her to Get Sick

It could also be easier for your elderly family member to get sick if she’s feeling lonely and isolated. Chronic health issues don’t help, of course, but then negative feelings can further dampen your senior’s immune system. There may be ways to correct that problem, along with having caregivers around to help your senior with medical needs, they can also offer companionship on a regular basis.

She’s More Susceptible to Depression

All of this can also make your senior more susceptible to depression. There’s a lot about aging that can contribute to depression for your elderly family member, and loneliness certainly doesn’t help. Losing the ability to do certain things on her own can also be a factor and can cause your senior to self-isolate. Bringing in elder care providers can make your senior’s life easier and help to alleviate loneliness. They can also help you to spot the signs of depression sooner.

Your senior may have varying needs of contact with other people, which is normal. Talk with her about what she wants and what works best for her.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Elder Care in Anderson, 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.

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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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