What Can Families Do to Help Seniors Avoid Boredom and Depression?

Boredom and depression are two issues that seniors face every single day. If they don’t figure out how to get a handle on these issues, seniors can struggle mightily and find their mental and physical health worsening. Companion care at home can be a powerful way for families to help their aging adults deal with boredom, loneliness, and depression.

Make Social Connections Easier

The first way that companion care at home works to help seniors feel less boredom and reduce depression factors is simply by helping them get the social interaction they need in an easy way. Companion caregivers visit seniors on a schedule that varies according to seniors’ needs and preferences. These visits are a chance for aging adults to meet new people and spend time doing things they enjoy doing.

Encourage Physical Wellness

Physical activity brings massive physical and mental health benefits. It can also help seniors to deal with boredom they might be experiencing. The physical activity doesn’t have to be extreme, either. It can be as simple as short daily walks, chair yoga, tai chi, or even just stretching. Before seniors start moving more, they need to talk to their doctors about what types of exercise are safe for them to engage in with their particular health issues.

Keep the Brain Moving

It’s always important to keep the brain active and engaged for seniors. Learning new things, engaging in activities that stimulate the brain, and socializing are all great ways for seniors to keep their brains strong. It’s a good idea to take personal preferences into account and look for ways to help seniors embrace what they love and what keeps their brains working.

Adjust the Environment

Often seniors have lived in the same place for a long time. They may not have changed much about their homes as they’ve aged, even in terms of making the home safer. It’s important to go through and look at what safety changes need to be made, including decluttering and repairing anything that needs to be fixed. These changes can have a surprising impact emotionally, however. Sometimes seniors don’t realize that they’re a little depressed due to fear of falling or sustaining other injuries. Making their home environment fit their current needs can alleviate a great deal of stress. Elder care providers can also help seniors to feel safer at home.

Offer Emotional Support

All too often seniors don’t get to spend time with other people as much as they want or as much as they used to. Getting enough emotional support helps them to feel heard and validated. Practicing active listening with seniors, showing empathy, and letting them share what they’re feeling are all helpful ways to give seniors the emotional support that they need.

Families play a huge role in helping seniors stay active and engaged, avoiding boredom and hopefully avoiding depression. But so often families aren’t able to do as much for their aging adults as they want. Companion care at home can offer emotional support and just be there to spend time with seniors, helping them to learn what most helps them avoid boredom, depression, and other mental health concerns.

If you or an aging loved one is considering companion care at home in Turlock, CA, please contact the caring staff at Provident Care Home Care today at (209) 578-1210.