It’s common knowledge that seniors need to socialize regularly, and adding that socialization into the equation when creating a post-hospital care plan is not only a good idea, but it can also improve their recovery process. Many studies show that staying socially involved is a key part of healing and improving quality of life, so adding it in as seniors recover makes sense. This added socialization could come from home care, loved ones, or friends. All that matters is that it happens consistently to ensure the best possible chance for senior health.
Wondering what the benefits are when adding socialization to post-hospital care routines? Keep reading to learn more.
Support and Encouragement
One of the best things about seniors being social after being in the hospital is that it helps them feel better emotionally. During hard times, staying in touch with family, friends, or support groups can help them feel like they belong and give them peace of mind. Additionally, knowing they are surrounded by caring people who offer support and understanding can boost seniors’ spirits and make them more resilient, which can help them have a better view of their recovery.
Reduced Loneliness
Hospital stays and recovery times can make seniors feel alone and isolated. Getting involved in social activities can help fight these feelings by fostering deep connections and relationships with other people. Seniors can stay connected to their communities through visits, phone calls, and virtual meetings. This can help them feel less lonely and improve their general health.
Mental Stimulation
Getting involved in social activities is also good for seniors’ mental health because it keeps them engaged. Talking, playing games, or taking part in groups are all good ways to keep the brain active and help it work to its potential. Recent research suggests that seniors who stay socially busy may see their cognitive decline reduced and have a lower chance of getting Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Increased Physical and Emotional Recovery
As mentioned above, it’s thought that spending time with other people can help seniors who are healing from surgery or illness. When they participate in social activities, they will likely move around while interacting, which improves mobility, strength, and general health. Social relationships can also help them feel better emotionally, which can lower stress, improve sleep, and speed up recovery.
Increased Sense of Purpose
Keeping up with friends and family gives seniors a sense of purpose and meaning in their lives, even when they are recovering. Seniors should be supported in a way that shows them they can still make a difference in the world by going to social events, volunteering, or just spending time with their loved ones.
While it might not seem like a vital part of the post-hospital care plan, socialization can help seniors recover more quickly, especially when it’s backed by friends and family. Other benefits include reduced feelings of loneliness, improved cognitive health, and more.
Sources: https://www.brickyardhc.com/2022/06/the-importance-of-social-interaction-during-the-recovery
https://www.cdc.gov/emotional-wellbeing/social-connectedness/affect-health
If you or an aging loved one are considering Post-Hospital Care Services in Westfield NJ, please get in touch with 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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