OLDER AMERICANS MONTH – SOCIAL CONNECTION FOR THE HEALTH AND WELL- BEING OF OLDER ADULTS
According to the Census Bureau’s 2020 population estimates, over 55 million people living in America are older adults. Every May, the Administration of Community Living leads the celebration of Older Americans Month(OAM) in order to acknowledge the contribution of past and current older adults to our country. This year’s theme “powered by connection” aims to highlight the impact meaningful connections and relationships have on the health and well-being of older adults. This year, we at Vitalis Home Healthcare are celebrating OAM by joining the administration for community living in promoting the importance of social connection.
While aging comes with its own set of challenges, relationships and meaningful connections play a vital role in helping manage and combat those challenges. In this article we explore the impact of social connection on the well-being of older adults.
The science behind social connection:
Humans by nature are social creatures, that is why social connection is ranked first on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Research shows that people with strong social bonds have a 50% increased likelihood of survival than those who have fewer social connections. Studies show that those who feel more connected than others have lower levels of anxiety and depression and higher levels of self-esteem and empathy. Unfortunately, the opposite is true for those who lack social connectedness.
Nurturing relationships:
Each of us have a role to play in fostering meaningful connections in our relationships, there is no laid down law or a universal guideline boud to work for everyone but, here are a few tips for what you can do to improve your relationships;
- Join a social group: joining a social group with people of shared interest allows us to feel a sense of belonging and gives us access to a pool of like minded individuals.
- Spend quality time with people: The more time you spend with people, the more you get to know them and the more comfortable you feel around them. This strengthens the overall bond and connection of the relationship.
- Quality over quantity: focus on building high quality relationships as opposed to having a large number of people around you who you don’t necessarily feel connected to. The “alone in a crowd” quote resonates a lot with people who are surrounded by many people, yet don’t feel connected to them.
- Leveraging Technology: Social networks tend to reduce in size as people age, due to retirement and death of family and friends, as well as physical weakness and reduced mobility. Thankfully, there is an increase in the number of devices and platforms that aim to improve social connectedness amongst older adults. Digital applications such as Skype or FaceTime can help you stay connected to loved ones remotely. Studies have shown that older adults who use chat apps experience an estimated 50% decrease in symptoms of depression and anxiety. Nowadays, more apps are being tailored to the needs of older adults.
- Home Healthcare services: Due to various health concerns, older adults spend their late days at the hospital away from family and friends. But, with the option of home health services, you have the opportunity of receiving quality healthcare from the comfort of your home surrounded by friends and family.
At Vitalis Home Healthcare, we celebrate the wisdom, resilience, and vitality of our older population, ensuring that no one is left behind in the journey toward health and well-being.
If you or a loved one is in need of specialized home health services from qualified and experienced health professionals, contact us today and book a free consultation to get matched with the best services for your needs.
Phone Number:
240.716.6874
Email: info@vitalishealthcare.com
Location:
We provide our services in every county in the State of Maryland, United States of America.
Office Address: 8757 Georgia Avenue, Suite 440, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
Do you or someone you know need home care?