We are all very aware of the importance of social contact to mental and physical health and wellbeing, and this is particularly the case in caring for the elderly. We should always strive to increase opportunities for social interaction in order to improve our loved ones quality of life.
Benefits of Social Interaction for the Elderly
Social interaction for the elderly is instrumental in improving quality of life, as socialisation perpetuates positive mental and emotional health. Care home communities including residential, nursing and respite care can provide an excellent environment for elderly socialisation and a real hub for activity. They provide the opportunity for daily positive interactions with others, social activities, hobbies and leisure activities. In turn, these encourage responsibilities, friendships, shared interests, learning and empathy.
According to retirement life communities website Acts Retirement, regular social interaction has the benefit of:
- Reduced stress: Elderly people who are socially active tend to cope with stress more effectively. This contributes to an improved immune system and better cardiovascular health;
- Longer lifespan: More socialisation in senior citizens increases longevity and quality of life;
- Improved fitness: Older adults with diverse social supports are more likely to exercise regularly, which brings a range of physical, mental and cognitive benefits;
- Reduced risk of depression: Consistent socialisation reduces the likelihood that seniors will experience the depression associated with loneliness and isolation;
- Less anxiety: Socialisation for the elderly helps to reduce levels of anxiety by encouraging regular interaction and positive conversations with peers;
- Greater self-esteem: Socialisation helps seniors maintain their self-esteem and sense of worth.
Introducing Elderly Loved Ones to Communities and Activities
With the recent lockdown restrictions easing, it has been important to encourage elderly loved ones and relatives to enjoy their communities. It is important that senior citizens are included in the newfound atmosphere of hope and greater freedom.
It can be advantageous to help your elderly loved one find groups or activities that are relevant to them in their local area, and encourage them to take on a routine. This could include meeting friends and family, going for walks, and visiting their local coffee shops and restaurants.
A key component of this is that your elderly loved ones have your support and guidance. It is especially important that they are supported following the lifting of lockdown and routines are re-established.
Elderly Care Home Community
The Hollies Nursing Care Home and Holly Oak Dementia Care Home provide a welcoming, inclusive environment for elderly people to improve their sociability. Families can feel assured that their loved ones are benefitting from the range of creative, social and leisure activities on offer.
Leisure Activities
Leisure activities provided by the Hollies such as pub lunches, outings to points of interest, musical entertainment, and bingo area all extremely beneficial in getting elderly residents to enjoy the outdoors and engage with their surroundings. These activities can also help residents to connect with others who share the same interests, which encourages new positive relationships. Read more here.
Creative activities
The Hollies also provides an environment for residents to get in touch with their creative side. These may include crafts such painting classes, reading and poetry workshops, and pottery classes. Again, this allows residents to connect with others who have similar hobbies and can help them to rediscover old passions. Read more here.
Social activities
Residents’ social diaries can be personally tailored to their individual wants and needs. The Hollies offers a range of group activities which allow guests’ sociability to flourish, such as trips to the seaside, garden centre and local library. These larger group activities allow residents to interact with a range of different people, and individual calendars allow guests to socialise as much or as little as they choose. Read more here.
Socialisation is not just important, but essential, for the elderly community. The mental, emotional and physical health benefits emphasise the numerous ways in which elderly socialisation can improve quality of life. Nursing care, respite care and residential care homes like the Hollies and Holly Oak provide the perfect environment for your elderly loved ones to explore new social avenues, gain confidence, and lead a happier, purposeful later life.
The Hollies Care Centre offers assisted living apartments, a nursing care home and suites and an all new dementia care home, Holly Oak. Our extended community offers a secure environment where residents can adapt their care plans, maintain friendships among staff and residents, keep up interests and activities and enjoy the familiarity of what they have come to love. For families, we aim to reduce anxieties by focusing on individual needs, being adaptive and informative. For further information please call Chloe on 01453541400 or email info@thehollies.co.uk.