Are There Physical Health Benefits to Social Connection?
Loneliness does not just affect the emotional well-being of seniors. There are physical effects of loneliness, isolation, and lack of social engagement. With that in mind, it becomes even more important for aging adults to have access to social connections that work for them. Companion care at home services offer an easy and convenient solution for aging adults who want to avoid loneliness and stay as healthy as possible.
Here are some improvements that can be attained.
Healthier Habits
Companion caregivers can play an active role in helping seniors adopt a healthier set of habits regularly. They may find that as they experience less loneliness and isolation, they’re more excited in general about eating healthy foods more often and doing other things that support physical well-being. If seniors need more help with these types of tasks, home care can offer the hands-on assistance that makes a difference.
Increased Activity Levels
Spending time with companion care at home consistently can inspire seniors to move more naturally. For instance, they might move more because they tidy up before a visit. Seniors might be more interested in activities like walking with companion caregivers or engaging in gentle stretching together. Companionship itself can cause people to be more physically active.
Reduced Stress
Alleviating loneliness and solving issues that lead to isolation help seniors to feel less stress overall. Stress is not great for physical well-being. Increased cortisol levels lead to more inflammation, strain on the body, and issues with immune functioning. Regular interactions with companion caregivers help seniors to feel more connected, reduce cortisol levels, and help seniors feel generally more at ease. That calmer state of mind yields great results for overall health.
Better Sleep
Reduced stress, increased activity, and better emotional health can all support better sleep. Better sleep in turn offers seniors better overall health. When seniors get good quality sleep, they might feel more energy, their moods may be more stable, and their bodies have an easier time fighting off germs and other illness-causing microbes. Seniors are also more likely to have good routines in place to support wellness when they get enough sleep.
Stronger Immune System
Stress, poor nutrition, and general malaise can cause seniors to feel worse overall and maybe even reluctant to take care of themselves as well as they should. This can often lead back to an immune system that is struggling to keep up with everything that is going on. Having someone to talk to and improving some of the habits they engage in daily can cause seniors to experience better overall immune functioning. When it’s easier for their bodies to fight off whatever might cause them to get sick, seniors experience better health overall.
Social connections offer benefits on multiple levels, including physical well-being. Companion care at home is a fantastic solution for seniors who may not have other options immediately at the ready to help them avoid isolation. Spending time with companion caregivers can be a huge part of seniors making better decisions overall about their physical wellness. Feeling better leads to even better decisions, which helps seniors age in place even more successfully.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Companion Care at Home Services in Macon GA, please contact the caring staff at Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services, Inc. today at 478-745-5111.
Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Macon, Warner Robins, Perry, Gray, Milledgeville, Forsyth, Cochran, Jeffersonville, Eastman, Fort Valley, and the surrounding areas.
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