How to Help Elders who Feel Lonely & Isolated

Loneliness and the sensations that accompany it, especially as you become older, can be tough to adjust to. These feelings of loneliness can have a considerable negative impact on one's physical and mental health, with the elderly being particularly vulnerable. Anyone can experience social isolation and lonely feelings, but as you get older it can become even harder deal with and combat. 

Knowing that a loved one is experiencing these feelings can be very difficult to watch especially if you see the effects on their mental or physical health. Fortunately it is never a hopeless situation and there are a variety of ways you can assist your loved one get out of social isolation and reclaim their emotional and mental health. 

Support Social Interaction 

Encourage your loved one to get out and do whatever they can to keep engaged with other people if their loneliness if you notice your loved one feeling down due to it. It should come as no surprise, , that one of the greatest ways to help someone who is lonely is to encourage them to engage in as much social interaction as possible, whether through different social activities or simply getting together with friends. Though people may not like it depending on their mood, it is a vital element of a healthy lifestyle and may help alleviate the affects of loneliness. A good social life is essential for anyone's quality of life, let alone someone with the experience of loneliness.

Get Together with Friends

You may call out to friends and family members and encourage them to reach out and offer some love their way, ensuring that they feel a part of a community and family. One of the most telling indicators of sadness is losing touch with those closest to you when you're stuck in a rut. Getting people in touch with family or their friends and peers is one of the most apparent strategies to alleviate feelings of loneliness. If you observe this occurring to someone you care about, it's critical that they maintain contact with others around them.

It might be as easy as calling or texting them every now and then to let them know that they are loved and cared for.

Volunteer for the Community

One of the finest methods and interventions for loneliness is to broaden your social circle is to either encourage or participate in volunteer work with a loved one. Volunteering is a fantastic way to give people a sense of purpose, and it's also a fantastic way to fill their days with meaningful activities. The act of assisting others might make elders feel as though they've made a difference. There are several locations where you may volunteer, ranging from a soup kitchen to help the homeless and those who are down on their luck to an animal shelter to care for animals in need.

Consider doing volunteer work from home, such as crocheting baby blankets for the NICU, if you live at home but have mobility concerns. You're still making a positive difference, which might make you feel good. Even if it's only assisting at your church's bake sale, every little bit helps, and it provides you the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. Volunteer opportunities abound in many assisted living and independent living homes. Even if volunteering isn't their typical style, it's a terrific opportunity to not only give back to your community in a meaningful way, but also to meet new people and stay in touch on a regular basis.

Join a Club or Social Group 

Finding like-minded people is beneficial to everyone, not just those who are lonely or depressed. Finding a group or social club in your loved one's neighborhood is a terrific way for them to meet others and get them out of social isolation. Meeting with the same group on a regular basis allows you to form deeper bonds, develop better relationships and expand your social network. 

Unless you live in a really rural town or part of the country, there are lots of groups and clubs in your region. Joining a social organization allows you to participate in regularly planned activities and meetings. Identifying what they enjoy doing and locating local events that cater to that interest is a terrific way to get them out and meet new people. Clubs with specialized interests or frequent coffee dates are examples of this. Maybe they enjoy writing and want to join a writing club where they can write new stories and share them with others. Perhaps they still enjoy baseball and want to join a fantasy baseball club with other baseball fans. It might be a game club with members of various ages. 

Finding these community resources and individuals may require some effort, but it may be a valuable method to get them out of their homes and socializing with new people who share their interests. Local community centers, libraries, and senior centers are great locations to start looking for activities to do in your region. Seniors can communicate with others while participating in enjoyable activities through social activities.

Look Out for Physical and Mental Health

Loneliness and depression have an impact on your emotional and physical health, and taking care of both your body and mind can help you avoid the negative impacts of loneliness.

Clinical depression is a serious mental illness that may be dangerous to one's health and lead to cognitive impairment and other health issues , thus it's critical to treat it like any other medical ailment. Depression and social isolation has been linked to all sorts of physical complaints such as chronic illness, high blood pressure and even heart disease. Making sure that people are exposed to fresh and varied social circumstances can go a long way toward assisting lonely people. The following are some crucial methods you may assist your loved ones in dealing with these issues. 

Get Moving

While having a rigorous fitness program or schedule isn't an option for everyone due to physical restrictions, if the person you're caring for is in good enough form to do any type of exercise on a regular basis, it's crucial to encourage them to give it a try. Exercise, according to Harvard Health, can be equally as helpful as antidepressants because it releases endorphins, which aid to promote general wellness and increase brain growth and function. Regular exercise, depending on your loved one's physical condition, might help them avoid the symptoms of despair and loneliness and combat physical ailments. Physical activity on a regular basis might also aid your loved one stave off any cognitive impairment. Even something as basic as going for a short stroll every day will benefit your mind and body while also allowing you to mingle while exercising.

Eat Nutritious Meals

According to Sutterhealth, "A well-balanced, nutritious diet can help us think more clearly and feel more awake. Healthy eating should be a priority in everyone's life, but it is especially true for those who are lonely or depressed. Eating healthy is an easy approach to assist anybody, particularly those who are lonely. It's a good idea to advise them to eat healthy and avoid junk food whether they're in assisted living or a nursing home. 

If they are unable to cook for themselves, it is critical that you gather together and prepare nutritious meals for them. Mental and physical health are inextricably linked, and enhancing your body and the meals it processes is a terrific way to cleanse your mind and enhance your overall health.

 Look into Professional Help 

Another factor to consider when it comes to mental health is whether or not your loved one should seek professional assistance, such as from a psychiatrist. Seeing a mental health professional, getting diagnosed, and receiving medication can all be beneficial. These professionals have been educated to deal with a wide range of symptoms and can assist in the diagnosis of whatever is wrong. While there may be a stigma associated with obtaining mental health treatment, this should not prevent you from seeking the care that your loved one requires. Anyone who has been trained in mental health conditions has a wealth of knowledge about how to cope with chronic loneliness and social isolation. 

Think About a Pet

There is also the possibility of pet therapy. A pet can also provide you with a means to pass the time. Pets hug, play, and adore you no matter what, giving you the sensation of being needed all of the time.

Consider being a foster parent for animal shelters if owning a full-time pet isn't a possibility. Adoptable dogs are often placed in foster homes until they can find a permanent home. Taking your dog for a walk allows you to get out of the home, socialize with your neighbors, and get some exercise. When you get a pet, you'll always have another live thing to cheer you up when you're lonely. Playing with or grooming your cat might make you happy and divert your attention away from your loneliness. Caring for a pet offers you a sense of accomplishment. Pet visiting services are available in certain localities, where therapy pets and their owners pay visits. 

Consider Assisted Living 

If you've tried several of the suggestions above and your loved one is still suffering from severe loneliness and is at risk of depression, this is an option worth considering. Moving your loved one into assisted living or hiring home care to visit them in their home is another option to explore, especially if you don't have much time to help them.

Getting them help with their daily lives provides them someone to talk to on a regular basis, and especially if they move into an assisted living home, people with whom they may be able to connect and prosper. Other repercussions and symptoms of depression and loneliness are common, and seeking help to address them is never a bad idea. Choosing to move into long term care or home care is a huge decision that should not be handled lightly. 

Conclusion 

Depression and the feeling of loneliness are difficult to deal with at any age, especially if you are witnessing someone you care about struggle with them, and mental health issues are no laughing matter.

Fortunately, there are a variety of resources available to assist them, ranging from social activities and friends to good nutrition. There are numerous things that help, and their success varies from person to person, but remember that you aren't alone in your struggles, even if it may feel that way.