Ensuring a Continuum of Care for a Dementia...
15th May 2025
What is the Importance of Socialisation in Elder Care?
What is the Importance of Socialisation in Elder Care?
Why is Socialisation Necessary for Elders?
As people age, it becomes more difficult to live a fulfilling and active social life. Ill health is a factor which slows seniors down from engaging socially. Many old friends move away and making new friends is not easy. All of these developments start to make older people isolated and feel lonely. There are many research papers that now focus on the need for elderly people to socialise to stay healthy and even, to ward off mental illness and degenerative diseases such as Dementia and Alzheimer’s.
“Social interaction is a crucial predictor of life satisfaction. Social interaction encompasses an individual’s relationships and interactions with others, including various aspects such as the individual’s network of relationships, activities, and the frequency of contact with the people they interact with. Social interactions can provide psychological support and reduce social isolation, loneliness, and depression. Psychological support from close individuals such as family members, friends, and neighbors has been reported to have a positive impact on life satisfaction. Even in old age, it is vital to actively engage in social networks, maintain contact with people, receive psychological support from those close to us, and experience satisfaction with relationships”.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10671417/
What are the Health Risks of Senior Isolation?
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Hypertension
- Depression
- Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia
- High blood pressure
- Coronary artery ailment
- Weakens the immune system
- Obesity
An Interview with a Geriatric Medical Specialist from Cleveland Clinic, USA
“One of the things we learned during the pandemic is that social isolation is a really big problem and it’s probably one of the most recognized contributors to mental health issues now in the United States,” said Ronan Factora, MD, Geriatrician for Cleveland Clinic. “For older individuals, it’s a bigger deal.”
Dr. Factora said loneliness can be a precursor for depression, so getting the chance to socialize with others can help improve a person’s mood. It can also be beneficial to their cognition and physical health.
He said it’s okay to be sedentary once in a while, but if it’s happening consistently it can have negative effects. For example, it can impact your blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels. So, how can you encourage an older adult to socialize?
Dr. Factora said you could always go to their home to visit, ask them to go on a walk or make them a meal. Many communities also offer activities and programs they could attend.
“You have to be able to take the risk and do something different than what you’re used to, help increase the chances you won’t be isolated,” he said. “And those opportunities, if they’re brand new and people you don’t know – you can look at it as an opportunity to make new connections and meet new people.”
https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2022/12/09/why-socialization-is-important-for-older-adults
Why Many Seniors Want to Move to a Retirement Home
The inability to manage routine household chores is one major reason why senior citizens after a certain age wish to move to Retirement Homes. They are too tired to go through the daily drudgery of shopping, cooking and cleaning. But another important reason for considering the move is to counter loneliness and isolation.
More and more retirement homes and Senior Living Facilities design their residencies around a number of planned social activities. These cater to different ages, different mind-sets and the different levels of health of the residents. For example: Very frail older people or wheelchair-assisted residents may have the option of book clubs, movie sessions and even curated and supervised walks or perambulations around the park. At the same time, very active seniors may have the option of going on planned travel, shopping trips to nearby Malls and even events which they organise themselves. The attraction of these activities is the chance to meet people and make friends.
Exploring the Benefits of Socialization in Elder Care
Dr Akanksha Rastogi (Internal Medicine) Medanta Hospitals:
“The following benefits highlight the importance of social interaction in aged care:
• Prevents anxiety and depression
Limited socialization for the elderly and mental illness goes hand in hand. Inactive social life and loneliness are often the contributing factors to anxiety and depression among senior individuals.
Studies show that regular social activities can have mood-boosting effects on an individual’s body, similar to exercise. Incorporating socialization into the elder care routine can allow your loved ones to share their experiences, feelings, joys, and challenges with others, providing a sense of emotional release. Therefore, by being a part of social networks, they can access emotional support and relieve stress, anxiety, and depression.
• Reduces the risk of dementia
Another common mental health ailment for aged people is dementia. Although there is no definitive way to prevent dementia, socializing with family or friends might keep it at bay for seniors. Engaging in social activities and mind games like puzzles can help older individuals keep their brains engaged, improve their cognitive function, and, thus, reduce the risk of dementia.
• Increased sense of belonging
Many older people crave a sense of belonging in the latter half of their lives. Having a sense of belonging can help life feel meaningful for your older loved ones. Creating a social community for seniors can help them feel they are a part of something bigger and meaningful than themselves. It cultivates a sense of belonging in older people and improves their physical and mental well-being.
• Promotes purposeful living
As people grow older, they stop earning and, thus, feel like their life has no purpose. When your older family members have somewhere to go, people to see, or something important to do, it will help them feel that their lives have a purpose. A happening social life can help get them up in the morning with excitement, and they will be curious to know what lies ahead of the day. Therefore, your seniors’ strong connections with others will create meaning in their lives, giving them a sense of fulfilment.
• Improved cognitive function
Many studies report that socialization can positively affect cognitive function and potentially reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Therefore, encouraging your elder loved ones to engage in social activities, conversations, outings, and games can stimulate their mind, enhancing their memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Moreover, senior care settings that promote social engagement can create an environment that fosters mental stimulation, improving elderlies’ cognitive well-being.
• Enhances physical health
Believe it or not, emphasizing social interaction in aged care can also have physical health benefits for older adults. Engaging in social activities often requires physical movements and, thus, encourages your older loved ones to stay physically active. Whether going for swimming sessions, walks with friends, or yoga classes, socialization can improve mobility, vitality, and overall physical health”.
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