Life is better when you have someone by your side. Day-to-day routines can begin to feel dull as years catch up with us and loved ones pass—the meals, TV programs, and even morning coffee aren’t the same if we’re alone.
Having close relationships can impact longevity. Harvard’s longitudinal study of adult development explains this well, and the researchers also learned that isolation might be as deadly as smoking!
Find Senior Living Near Me
The discovery that loneliness is deadly is hair-raising, but finding new social connections can be challenging as life’s demands catch up. Perhaps you’re suffering from a chronic disease that makes doing household chores impossible, or your mobility is impacted, keeping you idle more often than you want.
Being alone, coupled with feeling poorly, can take an extreme toll during the aging process. Here are a few tips to create a plan to rejoin the social scene and make trusted new friends!
Identify the Barriers
What’s keeping you home? Is it not feeling well, no longer driving, not knowing the resources, poor sleeping habits, not having clean clothing because doing the laundry has become painful, or perhaps a combination of issues? Once you identify the barriers, it’s best to focus on solving them.
Stay Up to Date with Your Healthcare
Missed and delayed appointments, failing to report all of your medical concerns or health changes, or seeing a provider you feel doesn’t have time can all impact finding the right support. Consider changing providers or reading up on who specializes in serving aging populations. Visiting a primary care provider at your local clinic may help point you to the right specialist. If you’re not feeling your best, socializing might not be enjoyable.
Review Your Community’s Organizations & Resources
Local senior centers and libraries are great for socializing with peers and learning about your area’s public transportation options, book clubs, yoga classes, and continuing education opportunities. You may also find connections through churches, community clubs, volunteering your time or expertise, or even through support groups for grief, illnesses, caregiving, etc. Your local newspaper’s community section is another great place to look for ideas.
Another excellent way to find community groups and resources is to connect with social services in your county. Depending on where you live, these organizations may have alternative names, such as health and human services, social services, or aging and disability resources centers. Review your city, county, or state website for more information.
Make Life More Convenient by Hiring Services
If you’re feeling bogged down by chores, preparing meals, or being unwell, consider hiring a service or combination of services to help. Hello Fresh, Shipt, and Uber are major brands that bring groceries and provide transport, but there are even more service options that can get you what you need and make leaving home more convenient.
Meals on Wheels can deliver you a nutritious and balanced meal or two each day. Home care agencies might provide personal care, home cleaning, and laundry assistance, while home healthcare providers offer RN visits or specialty care, such as outpatient therapy, right at your front door.
While home care services are likely out of pocket, home health may be covered by your insurance carrier. Any of these services can help free up your time, help you to feel your best, and get you out and about—safely.
Finding Your Team
Consider Edgewood if you’re looking for an easy button to make friends, increase your activities, and improve your health. We also have short-term stay options if you aren’t 100% sold on being ready for assisted living.
Loneliness and isolation can worsen in the winter or when your family is gone for extended periods. If your family or caregivers are out of town in a warmer climate during the winter or like to take regular vacations, we have a short-term stay option that could help you get a real feel for what assisted living is all about. Short-term stays allow residents to join us for a week, a month, a season, or half a year without signing a formal lease agreement.
Edgewood can offer healthcare services on-site, social opportunities, off-site outings, and friendly staff willing to lend a hand with a smile at all hours of the day and night. If you’re feeling isolated, look no further! Check in with us at info@edgewoodhealthcare.com to learn more.
