Seniors who are living independently have an increased risk of developing depression. Many different factors influence whether or not your mom or dad has a high risk of depression, including loneliness. If you live too far from your mom or dad to visit often, or if you can’t visit regularly because you have work and other responsibilities, companion care at home services are a great way to make sure your mom or dad is getting the social interaction they need to stay healthy.
Companion care at home is specialized care for seniors where care providers visit your mom or dad just to spend time with them. A care provider may share meals with your mom or dad, watch movies or TV with them, read books to them, or do activities like playing games or doing puzzles. They can also share conversations with your mom or dad and help them pursue interests or hobbies.
The regular social interaction that your mom or dad gets from having companion care at home can have a big impact on your mom or dad’s health.
Some of the ways that companion care at home can help lower the risk of your mom or dad developing depression are:
Providing Social Interaction
Companions offer daily conversation and connection that your mom or dad needs for good health. Talking with someone regularly helps seniors feel valued and less lonely. Social interaction boosts mood and reduces feelings of isolation. Having a companion can give your senior parent a sense of belonging and community. This connection helps lower their risk of developing depression.
Encouraging Fun Activities
A companion will encourage your mom or dad to do activities and try new things. This might include playing games, crafting, or listening to music. These activities give your parent something to look forward to each day. They also bring joy and create positive memories. Staying busy with meaningful activities keeps the mind focused on positive experiences.
Reducing Stress and Worry
Seniors often feel stressed about their health or living situation. When they’re alone, those worries can weigh on your mom or dad’s mind and make them more likely to be anxious or depressed. Companions provide emotional support by listening to concerns. They can help with small tasks that might feel overwhelming to your parent. When seniors feel supported, they experience less stress. Reduced stress can lead to better mental health and a lower risk of depression.
Encouraging Healthy Habits
Companions can remind seniors to eat healthy meals, move more, and get enough rest. A balanced diet, movement, and proper sleep all support mental health. Companions might go for walks with your parent or encourage hobbies that keep them moving. Healthy routines improve both physical and emotional well-being, reducing the risk of depression.
Creating a Sense of Purpose
Having someone rely on them for conversation or companionship can give seniors a sense of purpose. A companion will ask your mom or dad for opinions, involve them in decision-making, and engage them in tasks like cooking, crafting, or reading. Feeling needed and appreciated boosts self-worth. A strong sense of purpose can protect seniors from feeling hopeless or sad.
Source: https://www.ncoa.org/article/how-common-is-depression-in-older-adults/
If you or an aging loved one are considering Companion Care at Home Services in Edison, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Helping Hands Homecare today. Call (908) 418-4299
Helping Hands Homecare provides Senior Home Care Services throughout Northern and Central New Jersey, including Clark, Westfield, Cranford, Scotch Plains, Rahway, Linden, Summit, Edison, Elizabeth, Mountainside, Short Hills, Millburn, New Providence, Berkeley Heights, Kenilworth, Chatham, Madison, Metuchen, and surrounding areas.
After graduating from Seton Hall University with a BS in finance Helping Hands Homecare’s Owner / President, Robert D’Arienzo, went to work on Wall St. for six years. However, after Robert’s grandmother became ill with stomach cancer Robert and his family needed to find assistance in the home for her. After many trials and tribulations Robert could see that there was a great need for quality home care services here in NJ and loved the idea of being able to assist other families who were going through what his family went through with his beloved grandmother.
Thus, Robert had found his passion. After almost a year of preparation Robert opened Helping Hands Homecare in 2003. Robert wanted Helping Hands Homecare to focus on providing the highest quality of caregivers, exceptional customer service, and providing a service that familys could depend on in their time of need. Since then Helping Hands has assisted hundreds of individuals with the simplest of needs to more complex cases while preserving those standards set out many years ago.
Robert is a Google Verified Author
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