Private Duty Caregivers Provide Comfort, Care, and a Sense of Belonging
Older adults experience more isolation and loneliness as they get older. The National Institute on Aging estimates that 28% of older adults live alone. The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) concluded in 2019 that 25% of older adults are lonely and socially isolated.
Older adults struggle to maintaining connections with others due to several factors:
- The loss of spouses, family, and friends.
- More time spent in treatment for chronic illnesses.
- Difficulty leaving the home because of illnesses and mobility.
- Anxiety and depression associated with their condition and circumstances.
While some adults are at greater risk of loneliness as they age, older adults are generally the most susceptible. If you suspect that your loved one is experiencing loneliness and isolation, it is time to take action for your loved one’s health. Solutions exist to help older adults feel less lonely, including private duty care services. A private duty caregiver provides companionship and connection that older adults need for a better quality of life.
Private Duty Care Agencies Understand the Effects of Loneliness on Older Adults
The NASEM study on loneliness offers powerful information about the health impacts of loneliness in older adults.
According to this study, social isolation and loneliness can cause an increased risk of adverse effects, including:
- Dementia
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Depression, anxiety, and suicide
- Hospitalization
- Emergency room visits
- Premature death
Loneliness has profound effects on older adults’ health and wellbeing. The Centers for Disease Control suggest that loneliness is as damaging to a person’s health as smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.
However, there is a solution. Excellent agencies that offer private duty care understand the epidemic of loneliness among older adults. That’s one of the reasons why they hire compassionate, dedicated private duty caregivers to provide support for your loved one. The goal of private duty care is to help older adults live the fullest, most independent lives possible. While private duty care includes help with daily tasks, chores, and activities, caregivers can also help older adults feel socially connected.
What Private Duty Caregivers Do to Prevent Loneliness in Older Adults
A trained, compassionate private duty caregiver near you can make a difference by providing much-needed companionship and care. Private duty caregivers offer key services for your loved one, including housekeeping, meal planning, transportation, companionship, and more.
Private duty care services are available in shifts that range from two hours to 24/7 care. This service provides opportunities to relieve loneliness and isolation through the following activities:
- Time spent conversing about topics of interest to your loved one.
- Transportation for social outings, such as community events for seniors or the grocery store.
- Going for walks or incorporating movement into your loved one’s day.
- Reading and letter writing.
- The presence of another person in the home.
Each of these services from an expert private duty caregiver near you can make a significant difference in your loved one’s life. Your loved one will feel more valued, motivated, and connected to their community. When you work with caregivers from an excellent agency, your loved one will likely form a meaningful bond with their caregiver and look forward to their scheduled visits.
If you’re a family member who has never considered agency services for your loved one, respite care is also available. Respite care provides family caregivers with a break for a short or extended period of time. A trained, compassionate private duty caregiver provides care for your loved one, so that families can ensure their own needs are met.
Performing family caregiver duties can also lead to loneliness and isolation for the caregiver, and your health is important, too. When so much time is spent caring for your loved one, your own needs fall by the wayside. Private duty caregivers not only provide the very best care for older adults, but they also help the entire family.
Private Duty Care May Be the Key to Your Loved One’s Best Quality of Life
Even when families have good intentions, an elderly loved one may still experience the negative effects of loneliness and isolation. It is challenging to ensure that all their needs are met, while also trying to juggle your own family and work responsibilities.
A private duty caregiver can step in and provide the one-on-one care, compassion, and companionship that your loved one needs to feel fulfilled and happy. Your loved one’s social needs are crucial, especially after considering the research on the negative physical and mental impacts of loneliness.
Learn more about private duty care services available near you.
