Home Care in Irvine
Isolation
There are many important issues related to the elderly such as physical limitations, cognitive impairment, health and safety. One area that is less appreciated is loneliness. And it can have a dir
ect negative impact on the aforementioned issues. The causes include not having family close by or not having any living family or friends. In the U.S. the prevalence of loneliness among people older than 60 ranges from 10 percent to 46 percent. Fifty percent (50%) of those older than 85 live alone. Research has shown that social isolation is a significant risk factor to ones health and longevity.* Social isolation is as strong a risk factor for illness and death as smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and high blood pressure.**
Getting Help
There are things people can do to help address this situation. These include making regular visits to the local senior center to socialize and take part in various activities. Religious organizations such as Catholic Charities and Jewish Family Services offer community outreach services. There are also community services organizations in Orange County such as SeniorServ and AgeWell. SeniorServ has the Friendly Visitor and Care Circles Programs that connect volunteers with seniors to meet the needs of the isolated older adult. Volunteers are linked with seniors that would benefit from receiving social interaction and other assistance. You may find more helpful information about programs and services from one of these websites: SeniorServe, AgeWell, and OC County Office on Aging.
Home Care Services
Another option is to engage the services of a home care agency. One of the services our agency provides is referred to as Companion Care. Our caregivers spend a pre-arranged amount of time to assist and visit with our elderly clients. The time they spend includes friendly conversation, playing cards, making puzzles and other activities that stimulate conversation and companionship.
* “Toward a Neurology of Loneliness” Cacioppo et al, American Psychological Association 2014, Vol. 140, No. 6, 1464 –1504
** “Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors for Mortality. A Meta-Analytic Review” Holt-Lunstad, Perspectives on Psychological Science March 2015 vol. 10 no. 2 227-237
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring a professional caregiver in Irvine, CA or the surrounding Orange County areas, please call us at 949-535-2211. We provide senior care services in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Woods, Laguna Beach, Mission Viejo and surrounding areas of Orange County California. Contact us today to learn more.
