According to a recent survey conducted by Senior Helpers, nearly 85% of baby boomers and Generation Xers surveyed would prefer for their parents and loved ones to age at home, as opposed to in a professional senior care facility.
However, 60% of boomers also admit to being concerned about juggling the responsibilities of caring for aging parents and loved ones.
When it comes to aging at home, the biggest obstacle facing seniors, barring any major health issues, is social isolation.
With many seniors opting to live in car-dependent suburbs, perhaps surrounded by younger families, where is there to go? What is there to do? And who is there to talk to?
Without socialization, seniors are at an increased risk of developing health issues, dementia, and becoming depressed. The American Psychological Association has said that loneliness and social isolation may represent a greater public health hazard than obesity.
Whether you live close by or at a distance, it can be difficult to ensure aging parents are getting the social interaction they need while maintaining a home.
What can you do?
- Maintain frequent contact – in person as much as possible but also over the phone.
- Set up services – such as grocery delivery, lawn maintenance/snow removal, or a cleaning service if they are having difficulty maintaining the home and getting everything done alone.
- Ask a neighbour – to check in on them every so often.
- Teach them technology – so that you can video chat when you can’t visit, so they can search for local events and activities, and so that they have access to social platforms.
- Suggest they join a social community – a safe place to find others who share similar interests, life experiences, and goals.
Amintro is the social app that connects those 50 plus with like-minded people in the community. We are not a dating site. Instead, we foster good old-fashioned friendships.
Following years of research and with the help of numerous wonderful partnerships, Amintro has developed a process, based on input from experts in the field of sociology and mature adults, which helps you build a safe, private online profile that reflects who you are as a friend – and what you consider important characteristics in your friends, based on your personal experiences, likes and dislikes.
Once friendships have been formed, our Pastime Pursuits section on the blog ensures they are never left wondering what to do. From cooking parties to pickleball, trips to the theatre and more, we’ve got plenty of activity suggestions.
Membership to Amintro is free, and you can learn more about us, our community and how to become an Amintronian by following us on Twitter: @AmintroFriends, or liking us on Facebook: AmintroFriends.
By Christine Tompa
