During a physical, a doctor evaluates their patient’s blood pressure, cardiac function, and other criteria for physical health. However, one crucial aspect of aging that’s often overlooked is social engagement. Research shows that social connectivity and companion care are essential components of holistic wellness, so learn more about this service to determine if it's right for your loved one.

Why Is Companionship Important?

According to the National Poll on Healthy Aging, about 33% of people between the ages of 50 and 80 in the United States report feeling a lack of companionship. This interferes with a person's quality of life and could lead to depression, anxiety, and other psychological concerns over time.

Loneliness can have a significant impact on a person's physical health, as well. For example, TIME Magazine reports that social isolation can increase a person’s risk of stroke and heart attack. Some researchers believe it can even reduce a person's life expectancy as much as smoking.

How Is Social Isolation Treated?

Loneliness is difficult to define and measure, and the symptoms can present differently between individuals. Loneliness and depression are also self-perpetuating, as both conditions reinforce the other, and it can be hard to decide which came first. These factors make treating loneliness a challenge, but a few methods have shown success. For example, you can alleviate symptoms of social isolation and depression by encouraging meaningful social interactions, expanding your social network, and increasing your frequency of social contact.

Social interaction is essential to a person's health at every stage of life, but mobility limitations and health conditions can often make it more challenging for older individuals. In these situations, companion care can prove invaluable.

What Is Companion Care?

Companion care is ideal for seniors who are mostly independent but would enjoy more social interaction and emotional support. It's typically non-medical and can involve large groups of people or small, intimate settings.

Many companion care facilities provide structured activities that facilitate conversations, such as games, musical performances, crafts, and pet visitation. Most importantly, these partial-day communities give seniors opportunities to interact with other people and forge meaningful, close-knit relationships with their peers.

If you’d like to help a senior loved one in Cobb County, GA, overcome loneliness and social isolation, Serenity Adult Day Care could be the answer. This companion care program offers partial day recreation services, food and drinks, and a safe environment for seniors to spend time among friends. To learn more about how they can help your loved one, call (678) 324-1237 or visit them online.