Is Loneliness Dangerous for Your Elderly Parent?

By Kevin Edwards | July 3, 2018 |

Is Loneliness Dangerous for Your Elderly Parent?

Elderly Care Independence MO – Is Loneliness Dangerous for Your Elderly Parent?

By Kevin Edwards, President

Everyone needs social interaction and regular engagement with others in order to stay healthy, and enjoy a fulfilling quality of life. Unfortunately, many elderly adults are at increased risk of experiencing loneliness and feelings of isolation. The loss of loved ones and friends, moving away from a neighborhood they have lived in for many years, and changes in functioning that keep them from participating in as many activities, can dramatically decrease how much of the socialization your parent gets and put them at risk of a variety of negative consequences.

As a family caregiver, understanding the potential consequences of loneliness can help illustrate just how important it is for your parent to stay at socially active and maintain relationships with others as much as possible.

Some of the potential dangers loneliness can pose to your elderly parents include:

Increased risk of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure
Higher instance of stress, that puts tremendous strain on the mind as well as various systems throughout the body
Increased chance of depression, which negatively impacts overall mental and emotional health and well-being
Decreased motivation to take care of their own health, participate in life, and stay connected to a fulfilling quality of life
Higher instance of memory loss, and more difficult time retaining and recalling memories
Faster rate of cognitive functioning decline
Putting your senior at increased vulnerability to the use of controlled substances to self-medicate, such as alcohol and tobacco.

There are many things that people think of when considering elderly care for an aging adult. They might immediately think about and elderly home care services provider helping a senior with mobility issues move around, or assisting with bathing. They might even think about meal preparation or help with household tasks. While all of these can be extremely beneficial services, they are not the only thing a care provider can do for your aging parent.

For many seniors, one of the most beneficial services they can receive from an elderly care provider is companionship. Many seniors deal with loneliness and isolation, and may suffer mental, emotional, and cognitive consequences as a result. The emotional support, companionship, and mental stimulation that can come from a care provider can help your parent to avoid these consequences. This dedicated attention can help your parent to feel acknowledged, validated, and important, and keep them connected to the world around them to support greater motivation and involvement as they age in place.

Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200307/the-dangers-loneliness

If you or an aging loved-one are considering Senior Care Services in the Kansas City MO area, please contact the caring staff at Elder Care of Kansas City, today. Proudly serving Jackson, Clay, Platte and Cass Counties in Missouri as well as Johnson and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas for over 30 years. Call us at 816-333-3322.

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Kevin Edwards

Owner at Elder Care of Kansas City

Kevin’s life and the lives of his immediate family have been impacted by caregivers – either as a patient or a caregiver - for as long as he can remember.He watched his mother take care of his grandmother until her death at the age of 97.Five years later, his father passed from a neurological disorder that was subsequently confirmed as Lewy Body Dementia.In 2007, his wife, Lori, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.The symptoms of Lori’s disease required Kevin to hire a caregiver during the periods of her relapses.

Prior to purchasing Elder Care, Kevin spent over 20 years in the health insurance industry.In his most recent position, he was in a financial operations role with Humana where he worked with doctors, nurses and other health professionals developing programs to keep Humana members healthy.Their focus on primary care and medication adherence improved the lives of thousands of seniors in Kansas City and the surrounding area.

Kevin and his wife, Lori, have three children.Kevin has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Missouri.