The value of family in a senior’s life is truly unprecedented. Family not only offers a stable social network, but research has shown that a senior’s relationship with his or her family has a significant effect on their overall standard of living.
It has also been shown that seniors who maintain close ties with their families outlive those who have less favorable connections. If you want to provide your loved ones with the opportunity for a longer life; here are the reasons why you should make an effort to prioritize family.
Family // Senior Loved Ones
Your social networks are likely to change as life happens. The one relationship that always stays constant is kin. As the old adage goes, “you can change your mates, but you can’t change your family.”
So what are the benefits of seniors staying connected to their family:
Longevity
Elders who associate themselves more socially with family members are more likely to live longer than those who remain alone. That also refers to those who undergo late dementia. While you may not be able to say, the presence of a family is prolonging their lives and enhancing the quality of their remaining years.
Immunity
Often the social seniors have better immune systems. This is particularly important for their age group as older immune systems appear to be weaker than younger ones.
Mental Stimulation
Seniors close to their families have also been reported to have improved mental health compared with those who are not. Interacting with their families, and being reassured that they are being cared for, decreases depressive feelings.
Cognitive Function
Older people who are more socially active usually have a higher degree of cognitive function. Those who reported being happy and engaging in social activities were more likely to have improved memory and reasoning skills. Those who suggested the contrary observed their cognitive ability deteriorating.
Connecting Families
Staying linked with friends and family is simpler than ever with technological advances. Here are a few ways for seniors and their families to remain connected, using conventional approaches and technology.
Texting
Texting is a perfect way to keep in touch with your grandparents and their grandchildren. This mode of communication takes seconds and enables you to share a short photograph or let your family know you are thinking about it.
Another way that aging adults can establish relationships with loved ones is by email. Email allows you to send longer messages in a text message which would not be possible to send. If you want to share a group of pictures or send a thorough update to your mates, email is the way to go!
Social Media
Social networking channels are one of the most popular ways to keep in touch. Specifically on Facebook. Facebook makes it effortless to communicate with loved ones. You may exchange pictures and messages with others or with individual members at once. It’s a perfect way to handle your relationships with all the people who are important in your life. Scrolling through your stream you can see what everyone is up to.
Entrust of DeSoto: A Resident-centric Memory Care Community in Dallas, Texas
Entrust of DeSoto is a memory care community that puts resident well-being at the center of everything we do. We know that each person is unique. That’s why we offer a wide range of services and lifestyle options to nourish the body and create community.
We understand the importance of home-cooked meals and nutrition for seniors and this attitude is reflected in our dining experience. If you or a loved one live near Dallas, Texas, and need assisted living, contact Entrust of DeSoto today to learn about our 24-hour care and find out how we can help.
