| While the vast majority of seniors prefer to age in | | | | primary caregiver, which can consume much of their |
| one place, many seek assistance from home health | | | | time. Caring for an ailing spouse can lead to isolation |
| companies and assistant living services because of an | | | | from the people and activities that were once |
| increased need for personal assistance or in home | | | | enjoyed together on a regular basis. Seniors may also |
| care. Numerous studies have been conducted that | | | | face the loss of a spouse. This event often further |
| show that seniors having social connections through | | | | isolates you from some of the activities that you |
| family members, friends, social organizations, even | | | | might have once enjoyed as a couple, as well as |
| companion animals is directly linked with their overall | | | | isolation from some of the friends that you |
| good health, prolonged survival from serious illness, | | | | interacted with together. Seniors are also at risk of |
| and longevity in general. As seniors age, the need for | | | | decreased socialization as they age if they can no |
| socialization is even more important to help maintain | | | | longer drive. Giving up driving for many means giving |
| overall good health. Evidence of the connection | | | | up on independence and access to the people and |
| between a strong social connection and good health | | | | activities they rely on for social support. It's critical to |
| include:o Studies show that people who are able to | | | | take into account the importance of socialization as |
| get out and interact and spend more time with | | | | we age. Getting the personal care that is needed |
| people during cold/flu season actually get fewer colds | | | | doesn't have to eliminate the opportunity to maintain |
| and illnesses than those who spend most of their | | | | social connections. |
| time alone.o People that have companion animals to | | | | Most communities have resources for seniors to |
| interact have fewer illnesses that people who do not | | | | foster good health and social connections. Many |
| have a companion animal.o People who use words | | | | towns offer a variety of activities through local |
| such as "I', "mine", and "me" often during casual | | | | seniors' centers, support groups, libraries,religious |
| conversation are more susceptible to heart attacks | | | | organizations and active retirement communities. For |
| than those whose conversations don't focus on | | | | those unable live independently, assisted living |
| themselves.o Our immune system has natural killer cell | | | | communities and home care companies offer a |
| activity that is negatively affected by a lack of social | | | | variety of services. Seniors should be encouraged to |
| support.o Our natural killer cells are more sluggish if | | | | participate in assisted living community activities and |
| we are lonely.o Feeling grateful for what we have in | | | | outings. Those living at home should be encouraged |
| life is associated with better physical and emotional | | | | to look for the right home care company-one that |
| health. The elderly can be at risk of isolation, which | | | | recognizes the value of a support network and social |
| can directly affect overall health and longevity. If one | | | | connections. The elderly no longer need to sacrifice |
| spouse becomes ill, the other spouse tends to be the | | | | socialization for quality senior care. |