Studies show that when one half of an elderly couple passes away, the other goes through severe changes, both mentally and physically. For example, depression becomes far more likely for the surviving spouse, and studies show that even the way that the heart beats changes in a noticeable manner. All of these things are unavoidable for the most part, but how they are dealt with after the fact is completely under our control. By ensuring that our older family members have the care and support that they need, we can do our part to help alleviate the pain and suffering that they are going through. It won’t bring back their wife or husband, but it will help make the grieving process a little bit easier.
Having more frequent companionship is certainly not a replacement for the loss of a spouse, but there is evidence supporting the concept that having a trusted friend or caregiver in the house can alleviate some of the negative symptoms that arise after the loss of a loved one. At the very least, even if there are no physiological benefits to the person being cared for, having a caregiver in the house can help you and the rest of your family to monitor your elderly loved one and make sure that they are well cared for and safe.
Making it so that it is easier for a caregiver, or even a physician, to get into the home to see your loved one can also be of help. This way problems can be detected earlier, and for those that have trouble getting around, a lot of the stress and trauma of going out to appointments or to see friends is avoided. By itself, this can instantly erase a lot of the problems that seniors face. Going deeper into this, we also see that there is a huge need for more home based services. Thanks to this need, and the constant necessity for job creation within our economy, person centered care, specifically dementia care, is becoming more widespread. This involves more than just in-home care and caregivers coming to the house, it also has doctors coming to the house. All of these things make it easier for an elderly person to get the assistance that they need, have more people that the appreciate being around with them, and it reduces the negative impact that leaving the house and going to unfamiliar places can have on those suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
If your mom or dad is in need of assistance, and they are not around people often, then finding a source of companionship for them is a must. People need to be around other people. Losing a spouse is tough, and there’s no way that they can be replaced. So if leaving the house is difficult for them, be sure to bring the people that they need to them instead. With the technology that exists today, and the growing awareness of this need, it is easier today than ever before to accomplish this.
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