Help Mom Make Friends and Avoid Loneliness
Your Senior Healthcare Team at Home Instead Tells You How!
As a senior citizen, making friends is not easy. For those who are younger and active in the workforce or community, we may decide we are too busy to develop relationships, or we decide that we have enough already. That is not the case for your mom or dad once they retire. Gone is the daily interaction with people and the opportunity to make new friends. What you may find is that Mom is losing her spark since she stays home all the time. Top that with loss of mobility, hearing, or driving abilities, and you may find your beloved mother struggling with depression.
Now is a great time to help your aging parent make new friends and avoid the loneliness that can threaten a senior’s mental health. According to the Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health, depression is the most common issue for the elderly. Give your parent the tools they need to combat this debilitating problem by helping them make new friends and enlisting the services of a caregiver from Home Instead. We offer a variety of home care services that keep the aged engaged with life and living independently for as long as possible.
5 Opportunities to Make New Friends
When it comes to healthcare tips for seniors, a key component is remaining active mentally and socially. Encourage your mom to re-engage with people and create a social life that prevents her from being alone. Consider these opportunities she can take advantage of:
- Continuing Education Classes: A local college or university may have some courses that will interest your senior. Some may even allow older adults to audit classes.
- Classes at a Senior Center: We are not talking about Friday night bingo! Activities may include hobby classes and day trips.
- Pick Up a Part-Time Job: While the extra pocket money is handy, the interaction with people is better.
- Volunteer: There are plenty of opportunities to share years of knowledge and wisdom with others. Suggest that Mom asks her favourite museum, hospital, church, animal shelter, or library how she can help.
- Join a Gym: Exercise helps keep the body healthy and the mind sharp. Mom may enjoy a Zumba, Tai Chi or Yoga class specifically for older adults. She can stay fit and go out for coffee or breakfast with her new acquaintances.
Suggestions to Encourage Mom or Dad to Step Out
It can be challenging to start over and make new friends when you are over 65. Be ready to encourage your parent with these suggestions:
- Boost her confidence – Remind her of events in her life that she took action on even when she was scared and the confidence she attained from making that step.
- Go with her – If possible, go with your Mom to the first event, so she has at least one person she knows, for company.
- Be patient – It may take some time for your parent to find what they would like to pursue that will get them out to meet new people. Encourage them to keep trying.
Keep Your Parent Active with Expert Senior Homecare
Make sure your loved one can get to their activities with extra support from the Home Instead Ottawa team. Our highly-trained and caring staff can make sure Mom gets to her new volunteer position, so she can continue to contribute to the community. We can tailor services to fit the needs of your aging parent.
Call us at (613) 599-6906 to schedule a no-obligation in-home consultation.