In my line of work, I regularly encounter seniors who live alone, and they often are lonely, isolated and suffer from anxiety or depression.
Social engagement and relationships are vital to our health and well-being. Professor Louis Cozolino of Pepperdine University emphasizes the positive impacts of human relationships in his book, Timeless: Nature’s Formula for Health and Longevity.
“Of all the experiences we need to survive and thrive, it is the experience of relating to others that is the most meaningful and important,” Cozolino explains. “A life that maximizes social interaction and human-to-human contact is good for the brain at every stage, particularly for the aging brain.”
Our brains are wired to socially connect with others, and studies have shown that social interactions have positive benefits on mental health, cardiovascular health, immunity, and cognitive performance.
Moreover, social connections help ease stress by reducing cortisol in our bodies. Cortisol is a stress hormone that increases as our stress levels increase.
“In a study of elderly Hong Kong residents, researchers found that those who spent more time cultivating social relationships had a significant drop in cortisol levels during the day, which could explain why positive relationships help us learn better, stay healthier, and live longer,” according to the article in Greater Good Magazine.
“How we bond and stay attached to others is at the core of our resilience, self-esteem, and physical health,” Cozolino writes. “We build the brains of our children through our interaction with them, and we keep our own brains growing and changing throughout life by staying connected to others.”
If you or a senior loved one lives alone and has limited to no social engagement, I encourage you to consider companion care to promote healthy human connections. I am happy to offer a FREE Consultation to assess your specific needs and create the perfect care plan for you or your loved one.
Home Helpers® caregivers provide non-medical assistance with specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as for those in need of personal care, homemakers services, nutritional meal planning and preparation, respite care, recuperative care, wellness calls, 24-monitoring, or other in-home services.
We, at Home Helpers® Clearwater, are honored to have received the Home Care Pulse – Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice Award 2016-2022 and the Best of Home Care® Employer of Choice Award 2022. We proudly serve male and female seniors in Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Holiday, New Port Richey, Trinity, Port Richey, Hudson, and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier℠ 727.942.2539
Source:
Greater Good Magazine
