Reasons for Loneliness in Seniors

Loneliness is a negative feeling or sadness that arises due to lack of communication or a relationship with other people. Although it can affect anyone of any age group, the older you are, the more vulnerable to feeling lonely. Some main reasons of loneliness in older adults are described below:

• Bereavement 

Death of a spouse becomes the major cause for chronic loneliness in seniors. Similar feeling of loneliness can arise if an older person gets separated from their partner for any reason.      

• Retirement from work 

When seniors retire from working, they often miss their colleagues and daily routine. There is no office friend whom they can talk to or gossip with. There is no set schedule they have or meetings they need to attend.

• Health problems 

Health problems like arthritis and dementia make it difficult for older adults to socialize with others. They are often confined to their house and only go out when it is important or necessary.

• No friends and companions 

In old age, people start losing their friends. Sometimes, their friends are living far away or a residential care homes in another city, sometimes they simply lose touch. Due to lack of convenience transportation and health issues, they are unable to meet them. Their friends may even pass away from old age themselves.    

• Lack of transportation  

Older adults may not be able to drive due to health problems. Therefore, they often rely on others to pick them up and drop them off at their friends’ or relative’s house. Sometimes, they hesitate to ask their family as they do not want to be a bother and just stay at home. As a result, they are not able to socialize as much as they should and feel lonely.

If you have a senior family member, always make sure to share some quality time with them. However, if you feel that they need more care than they are receiving, contact Always Best Care for help. They are a noted senior care agency known for providing quality Home Care Services In West Vancouver and the surrounding areas. For more information, feel free to call them at (778) 945-3010.

Some Major Issues of Old Age

A person goes through various pleasant and unpleasant situations from childhood through old age in his/her life. But, old age is that phase of life in which one must face unexpected physiological, psychological and emotional challenges and it becomes really difficult to avoid these situations. Some of the major problems that seniors face are listed below.

1. Physiological Issues

After turning 60 years old, and even before depending on the individual, the human body begins to decline. The physical brain, senses, limbs and other internal parts of the body start functioning more slowly. Various sources over the years have affected the body, such as lifestyle, hereditary tendencies, and the environment. Some of the major causes for physical decline are malnutrition, intoxication, workload, poor diet, inadequate rest, emotional stress, health issues, and fluctuating environmental conditions.

2. Psychological Issues

Mental disorders are very common in this age. While it’s not predetermined for everyone, older people often face two major types of psychotic disorders: senile dementia (related to cerebral atrophy and degeneration) and psychosis with cerebral arteriosclerosis (related to blocking and ruptures in the cerebral arteries). According to a research, these two types of disorders are responsible for around 80% of psychotic disorders among the older generation in the civilized societies.

3. Emotional Problems

When the mental ability of seniors declines, they often become dependent on their family. Sometimes, negligence of family members results in emotional insecurity in them. Instead of developing a compassionate attitude for these old persons when youngsters start asserting their own rights, seniors often feel deprived of their dignity and importance. In addition, death of the spouse or very close family member also leads to a feeling of isolation or loneliness in them.                        

4. Social Issues

The social life of an older person does not remain as rich and exciting as they age. Poor health, loss of a loved one, and more are some of the reasons for their disconnection with society. They often become or feel confined in their homes and their interpersonal relationships remain limited to their family members only. This creates the problem of isolation and loneliness, which further leads to depression in them.                  

    

Keeping in mind all the above, it becomes crucial to take care of your senior family members and give them the love, care, and respect they both need and want. 

However, if you need help regarding senior care, contact Always Best Care. They are one of the most trusted Home Health Care Providers In Vancouver and have a team of highly experienced and knowledgeable caregivers. To find out more, call at (778) 945-3010.

Anger Management Tips for Seniors with Dementia

Dementia in seniors is marked by a persistent decline in their intellectual abilities like memory, judgment, language, and abstract thinking. The activities which are very simple for us, like brushing our teeth, becomes difficult for a senior suffering from dementia. Sometimes, they may even forget the color of their brush and so many other basic things.

When even the easiest tasks of the daily routine seem complex and overwhelming, it is obvious for seniors to feel frustrated. This frustration often turns into anger, which can harm relationships, impair their judgment abilities, and have a negative impact on the way people see them. This is when the need of anger management comes in.

Here are some tips to follow as a family member in order to manage anger towards both yourself and your senior loved one:

1. Keep the distress and worries away from them as long as possible, and try to comfort them by listening to their talks attentively. Most of all, they need is your love, support and care.
2. Try to help them diminish their confusion. Due to the decline in their brain function and loss of memory, seniors often get confused in simple things, which further results in anger.
3. Handle them calmly and politely. They may be angry for some reason you can’t understand but your support, care and attention will help them deal with the situation better.
4. Give them memory reminders. Help them by providing small memory cues so that they do not forget things. Split a task for them into small parts so that they can easily carry out the whole “small” task without difficulty.
5. Never make them feel lonely and try to understand their emotions rather than focusing on their rude behavior.
6. Encourage them to exercise regularly. Exercises have many physical and mental health benefits.

If your senior loved one is suffering from dementia and you are unable to deal with their anger, try to follow the tips mentioned above. You can contact Always Best Care for professional help regarding senior care. Always Best Care is one of the leading Home Health Care Providers in Vancouver. To learn more, call them at (778) 945-3010.

Seniors: Preventing Falls Could Save Your Life

Falling can’t always be avoided; however, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk. And, when doing so, you’re taking steps toward a healthier future. Did you know that one out of every three seniors fall every year? Falls are responsible for two million emergency room visits that can also result in brain injury, hip fractures, and total loss of independence sometime during the first year after the fall.

How You Can Prevent Falls

• Look at your medications. A single medication, or a mix of them, can cause dizziness and drowsiness, a dangerous combination and one that is likely to cause you to fall. Talk with your doctor about how you can minimize this risk and discuss side effects.
  
• Stay physically fit. It’s not just for heart health, it’s also to strengthen muscles, improve coordination and balance. Doctors recommend seniors get 2.5 hours of exercise every week, and this will help you keep your balance and avoid those falls. Consider activities such as yoga, and tai-chi.
  
• Keep your home safe. You spend most of your time in your home. So, it only stands to reason that you’re most likely to fall – inside your home. Make your home a safer place to be by installing grab bars, extra hand rails, improve the lighting in hallways and in every room, and make sure carpets and throw rugs are sufficiently tacked down.
  
• Keep your bones healthy. Strong muscles are just the first step toward preventing falls; you also want to keep your bones healthy. Do this by consuming an adequate amount of calcium. This means that women over the age of 50, and men over the age of 70 should have 1,200 mg per day. While, men between 50 and 70 should consume 1,000 mg per day.

Always Best Care is a premier provider of senior care services in Canada and the United States. In the industry for 20 years, they have provided assistance to over 25,000 seniors in their numerous locations around North America. If you live in the North Vancouver area and would like information about in-home care in Burnaby, or other options regarding home health care in North Vancouver, call the Always Best Care North Vancouver branch at 778-945-3010 today to set up your free care consultation.