Benefits of Social Engagement for the Elderly
As someone gets older, it is important that they engage socially. Isolation is quite common among the elderly. While most people are aware that their aging parents should keep physically active, they may not know the importance of their parents staying socially active, as well. Today, you will learn about the benefits of social engagement for the elderly. Knowing these benefits may help encourage you to keep your parents socially active.
Improved Cognitive Functioning
One of the benefits of social engagement for the elderly is improved cognitive functioning. Being socially active will help keep your aging parents sharp. Doing so will help keep your parents mentally focused, too. When it comes to elderly care, if you want to help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, improved cognitive functioning is important.
Improved Emotional Health
Another one of the benefits of social engagement for the elderly is improved emotional health. When your aging parents connect with friends, neighbors, family members, and home care providers, they stay in a better mood. This helps with the prevention of depression and isolation.
Improved Physical Health
If you want to help improve your parent’s physical health, encouraging them to stay socially engaged is one of the many ways you can do this. Seniors who are socially active also tend to be physically active, as well. In addition, people are more likely to eat better when they hang out with other people. This will help to improve your parent’s physical health, too.
Improved Immune System
Did you know that staying socially active can help to improve and boost your parent’s immune system, as well? By engaging with other people and getting outdoors, your parent’s immune system is likely to stay in great shape. This can help to prevent off a host of diseases and sicknesses in your aging parents.
Improved Sleep
If your aging parents are socially engaged, they are more likely to get better sleep, too. If they have trouble sleeping now, it might be helpful for them to go out and hang with a neighbor, friend, or family member. By getting out and doing more, this can wear them out a bit, so they can get better sleep.
Improved Longevity
Lastly, social engagement can help to make your parents live longer. Those who are socially active tend to be happier and feel stronger. These two things can improve the longevity of your parents. Social engagement can also help to reduce daily stress that your parents face, as well.
Now that you know some of the benefits of social engagement in the elderly, you can help to take care of your parents. If they are starting to isolate themselves, get them out to do something. It could be with family, friends, neighbors, a club, or with the community. Just get them up and going things with others.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Elderly Care in Marana, AZ please contact the caring staff at Sunlife Home Care today at (877) 888-1311.
Sources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/social-isolation-loneliness-older-people-pose-health-risks
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4861644/
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