April is National Stress Awareness Month and it’s a good time for family members to learn more about how stress can impact seniors. The stress caused by loneliness or aging in place can have a big impact on your senior parent’s mental and physical health. Being stressed can increase the chances that a senior will develop anxiety, depression, heart disease, and other ailments.
During National Stress Awareness in April, you can talk to your senior parent about effective ways to manage stress like:
Companion Care at Home
Having companion care at home can help seniors who are aging in place be less lonely. Regular visits from a companion who can go with your senior parent to get meals, go to movies, or go on other outings can relieve the stress that comes from being alone all the time. Companions can also participate in hobbies with your senior parent like painting or watching movies. Having companion care at home can help your senior parent’s physical and emotional health.
Joining Social Groups
Seniors can also relieve stress by becoming active in local social groups. Local senior centers, libraries, clubs, and community groups give seniors social connections and give them activities that they enjoy. Many libraries, community centers, and seniors centers offer activities such as book clubs, exercise classes, or hobby groups.
Volunteering
Volunteering can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment while also allowing seniors to meet new people and engage with their community. Your senior parent can volunteer to work with kids, and pets, or even volunteer to work on environmental issues. There are hundreds of local and national organizations that rely on volunteers.
Get a Pet
Having a pet is proven to help relieve stress. If your senior parent loves animals but isn’t sure they can handle the day-to-day care of a pet they can volunteer at a pet rescue or humane society where they can play with pets without the responsibility of daily care.
Try New Hobbies
Encourage seniors to pursue activities they enjoy, such as gardening, painting, knitting, or playing musical instruments. Engaging in hobbies can provide a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.
Talk to Friends and Family Members
If your senior parent is struggling with loneliness or seems very stressed out you should encourage them to talk to a trusted friend or family member about their feelings. Often seniors internalize their feelings and don’t want to talk about negative feelings, but it can help lower their stress levels to talk about what they’re feeling.
Attend Support Groups
Joining support groups specifically for seniors experiencing loneliness can provide a safe space to share experiences and receive support from others who understand their situation. If your senior parent is hesitant to talk about stress or loneliness to family members a support group can provide the support they need anonymously.
Seek Professional Help
If feelings of loneliness and stress become overwhelming or lead to depression, it’s important for seniors to seek help from a healthcare professional, such as a therapist or counselor, who can provide support and guidance.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Companion Care at Home in Brookfield, CT, please contact the caring staff at Elderly Caregivers LLC. today at (203) 628-7438
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