Senior Living: How Important Are Social Connections To You?

 Nearly 2/3 of people over age 75 live alone. Social connections are important at any age, but seniors have fewer opportunities to make social connections than most, and they may not feel comfortable asking for help.    Sensory impairments could very well be part of the problem.  Symptoms of sensory deprivation are gradual and may not be noticed unless you are looking for them.   Social withdrawal could easily be interpreted as memory loss or dementia, when it fact it could be caused by vision or hearing changes.   If your senior is becoming withdrawn and acting depressed it could be that they don’t see or hear what is going on around them. 

Without sensory stimulation an older person might begin to lose mental alertness and responsiveness.  Your parent might want not to admit that they do not see or hear well because it is an admission of old age.  Be vigilant and do not accept poor vision or decreased hearing as normal.   It is okay for you to take the role of a therapist by encouraging them to express how they feel about what is going on in their lives.  If you don’t ask, you will never know.

Adults over 65 should have an eye examination at least every other year and a hearing test every five years unless problems crop up that need to be addressed sooner.

Encourage social stimulation as well.  Dozing in front of the television is not good enough.  Take mom out for lunch at the senior center, do a knitting class together, play cards or go to a movie, and don’t just assume that mom is too old to be introduced to a computer.  Take a computer class at the senior center with her if she is too shy to do it alone.   

An article by Stephanie Clifford (The Globe and Mall: Toronto, Ont.: June 3, 2009) introduces the concept of computer groups and Facebook friends.  More and more seniors find that on-line communication skills are opening a new world to them.  Boredom is problem a problem for seniors who are homebound.

Seniors are faced with many loses. Loss of social connection is even more devastating than the lost of health.  The new future for older adults is staying connected, and technology is going be a big part of that.  It provides new ways to make connections, make new friends, and gives them a sense of purpose.   Via the internet friends can interact without having to ask friends or family members to take them places.  Online communication is a vehicle for making new friends and sharing lives.

Comments

[firstSTREET]

Great suggestions here for seniors to stay active, both physically and mentally. Socialization certainly benefits seniors, as it requires many different senses and mental faculties. Thanks for sharing!

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