The Cost of Companionship
Companionship is often an overlooked need by older adults and even family members. As a society, we have many accepted stigmas about aging; one of them is that we should live out our older years in isolation. While there are many theories surrounding aging, research shows as human beings; we need some form of interaction. Research has linked social isolation and loneliness to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental health conditions: high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and even death. As we age is a natural part of life to lose a spouse or partner, experience separation from friends and family, lose mobility, and lack access to transportation.
On The Contrary, people who engage in meaningful, productive activities with others tend to live longer, boost their mood, and have a sense of purpose. These activities seem to help maintain their well-being and may improve their cognitive function.
We often associate loneliness with being alone; however, many lonely people are, in fact, not alone. Loneliness in nursing homes is widespread. Older adults move to a nursing home facility to remain safe and experience less social isolation, but many residents are still lonely. A study by Regional Ethics Committee for Medical Research in Health region South, Norway, identified subcategories of older adult’s feelings when living in a nursing home facility:
feeling safe
feeling lonely (nurses have no time for me) loneliness, sadness, boredom, nobody to talk to and lack of companionship
feelings of being respected or not
feelings of distrust or lack of reliability in the care given
It is vital for us not to overlook the needs of those around us despite their living situation. Through building awareness, we can positively change the lives of older adults and disabled individuals in our community. Quality companionship is essential for older adults to age in place successfully. Here at NorthShore, we identified that as a significant problem, many families face within the care industry, which is why we have developed education that continues throughout the caregiver’s career to enhance these skills and hone in on what older adults need to successfully age in place. Through this methodology, we can develop better health compliance and prevent unnecessary hospitalizations.