3 Reasons Senior Engagement is Crucial to Health
At Comfort Keepers, we focus on providing engagement through Interactive Caregiving, our unique approach to in-home care. Here are 3 reasons why engagement is crucial to senior health.
How engaged is your senior loved one? Many studies show there is a direct correlation between senior engagement and health. In fact, data reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded that health patterns can be contributed to engagement in older adults. Seniors who are engaged often live more fulfilling and productive lives. At Comfort Keepers, we work with seniors, and their families, to provide engagement through our proven, unique approach to in-home care, called Interactive Caregiving. Interactive Caregiving, the foundation of our in-home care services, was created to provide seniors with physical, mental, and emotional engagement while keeping them safe in the comfort of their own homes.
Here are three important benefits of senior engagement, and the reasons we focus on providing engaging experiences for our clients, and the caregivers who support them.
Senior Engagement Can Improve Cognitive / Maintain Health
The ability to maintain mental vitality is important, and even more critical as we age. Seniors need social engagement to maintain their health and live enriching lives. A study, reported in Reviews in Clinical Gerontology, found that people with more social ties tend to live longer than their counterparts. Engaging seniors, mentally, is a key component of the senior care services we provide at Comfort Keepers. Seniors can maintain and improve cognitive health by participating in moderate physical exercise, staying connected within the community, and performing stimulating tasks such as participating in their own care, playing games with a caregiver, or even doing a crossword puzzle.
Want to learn more about how Comfort Keepers helps clients maintain cognitive health? Check out these home care tips for improving memory in seniors.
Engagement Can Improve / Maintain Physical Health
Maintaining physical health requires a combination of exercise and nutrition. A recent report, published by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, claims that only 35-44% of adults 75 or older are not physically active. The same report also states that more than 80% of adults do not meet the guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities. Being engaged with the community and a caregiver can help motivate a senior to participate in physical exercise and nutrition.
At Comfort Keepers, we provide each of our clients with the tools necessary to live healthy lifestyles through nutrition-based meal preparation and the promotion of physical exercise to maintain health.
Engagement Increases Self-Esteem
Companionship is one of the most important facets of a quality life as we age. Many seniors live alone, have lost family and friends, and need someone to talk with, laugh with, and accomplish goals with, to feel fulfilled. Social engagement and companionship can provide the physical, mental, and emotional benefits that seniors need to remain in the comfort of their home. Loneliness can lead to stress, unhealthy habits, and cognitive decline. According to a University of Michigan - AARP study, 1 out of every three seniors feels isolated. This is a compelling statistic, and one we aim to combat at Comfort Keepers.
Senior Engagement: What Can You Do Now?
Check-in with your senior loved to help gauge their level of day-to-day engagement, physical and emotional wellbeing, and overall happiness. If you see a decline, even a modest one, call an in-home care specialist, like Comfort Keepers, to discuss strategies for improvement or to review options for in-home Caregiver support and the benefits of Interactive Caregiving.
