Staying Social: How to Help Your Elderly Parent Avoid Isolation

Does your elderly parent live alone? Have you noticed them pulling back from friends and family?

Social isolation is a growing concern for seniors’ physical, mental, and emotional health.

As humans, we need social interaction to feel engaged with life. Without it, you can become depressed, physically ill, and lose cognitive function. But, there are ways to help your elderly parent avoid social isolation.

Learn ways to keep your senior parent engaged with life and their peers. Here’s everything you need to know about combating elderly social isolation.

What Is Social Isolation?

As we get older, our ability to physically see our friends declines. We can’t drive anymore; walking to a bus stop is harder than it appears. Sometimes, our health condition makes us want to be alone.

The withdrawal from friends, family, and hobbies is the crux of social isolation.

Unfortunately, it’s far too common among the elderly population. Your senior parent may not want to leave the house or participate in their hobbies anymore.

Here are some other signs of social isolation to look out for:

Frequent sickness and low immunity
Refusal to accept offers for transportation
Lack of communication

The typical signs of depression are similar to the signs of social isolation. Keep an eye out for these symptoms so you can learn how to treat them.

How to Help Your Parent Avoid Social Isolation

There is hope for elderly parents in social isolation. You need to be encouraging and proactive about solutions. Always come from a place of love and compassion, not annoyance and panic.

1. Arrange Their Transportation

As mentioned, transportation is a huge issue for seniors. They can’t drive and many can’t take public transit. If they have dementia or memory issues, their caretakers may not let them walk to a bus stop alone.

So, arrange transportation for them.

If your parent used to love going to church on Sunday mornings, start driving them there and back. Or, go with them to church.

You can coordinate with different family members to be their chauffeurs. There are also professional driving services for seniors that you can hire.

2. Use Technology for Check-Ins

You don’t need to knock on their door to check-in with your parent. There’s plenty of innovative and senior-friendly technology you can use.

For example, a tablet device is big enough for them to see and use the buttons. And, it connects to Skype, FaceTime, and other communication tools.

You could also get your parent a large screen smartphone. Adjust the volume and text size so it’s easier to use.

Give their number to friends and family and start checking in.

3. Create a Family Visit Schedule

Bringing the grandkids over to your parent’s house can bring them lots of joy. But, because of the isolation, they may not invite you over very often.

Instead, create a family visiting schedule online. Every week, ensure someone from the family or their friend group is going for an in-person visit.

Choose days that don’t have other social engagements, like Sunday morning church. It can be exhausting to go from total isolation to having a busy social life, especially for seniors.

4. Host a Social Event

Does your parent love drinking tea? Or, maybe they love musicals. Consider hosting an event for them.

Once a month, plan a social gathering for them and their peers. It could be to watch a different musical or play. You could even throw a tea party and play games.

Make sure you leave time for open socialization without pressure to watch the screen.

Your parent might not have the tools or confidence to plan events like these on their own. Doing it for them is a way to facilitate their socialization.

5. Sign Them Up for Community Programs

If your parent’s social group and family are small, go outside those circles for help. There are plenty of services targeting senior socialization.

Most communities will have a senior companionship program. Volunteers visit the seniors in the program weekly just to spend time with them. It could include chatting, going for a walk, or doing an activity.

Some volunteer programs include pet dogs and other animals. If your parent loves pets, arrange a weekly visit from a volunteer with a friendly animal.

Meals on Wheels is an amazing option that also ensures your parent is getting healthy meals. They bring meals to the senior’s house and provide interaction and socialization.

For those with extreme social isolation, just answering the door for a delivery driver is a great start.

6. Get a Physical Exam

Some cases of social isolation are self-induced. For one reason or another, the senior chooses to avoid people in their life.

A common reason for this is the embarrassment of incontinence. Not knowing if you’re going to have an accident makes leaving the house very stressful. It’s easier to stay in, away from other people.

A similar reason is a decline in their vision or hearing. Having to start asking people to speak louder can feel embarrassing. Not being able to see clearly can be startling and anxiety-provoking.

Take your senior parent for an annual exam. Get their vision and hearing checked. Ask about ways to prevent, treat, and address incontinence.

Some seniors don’t want to admit their health is declining or that they’re getting older. They may not initiate check-ins with their doctor. As their child, it becomes your responsibility to ensure their health gets taken care of.

Need Help Addressing Your Senior Parent’s Social Isolation?

Resolving social isolation is made more difficult when the senior lives alone, independently. The pressure to help them socialize falls on your shoulders.

Consider looking into assisted-living facilities. Even if your parent doesn’t need help with physical maintenance, it can benefit them.

Assisted-living facilities, like Families Choice Home Care, provide social interaction and engagement. You can rest assured your parent has companionship, friendship, and support.