When taking care of all the physical symptoms of a loved older person, we often overlook their mental and social well-being. A new study has found that loneliness in seniors is linked to more frequent onset of dementia. Other research suggests lonely people are at risk of other health problems such as cancer and high blood pressure.
Loneliness is an easily treatable ailment, cured easily by attention to the daily social interactions of those we care for. With the goal of keeping a loved one in their home, caregivers may consider hiring an in-home caregiver or sending their loved one to adult day care. Both of these options allow the senior to live at home while maintaining daily social interactions.
