Seniors' Summer Blues

When school is out, families go out of town too. With families gone on trips and vacations, seniors in care homes may soon find themselves missing their loved ones. It also does not help that some seniors cannot tolerate the heat of the sun so they end up staying indoors more than they wish. Their limited means of transportation also does not help, as they cannot drive anymore nor do they have access to vehicle at their most convenient times so they are limited to go in places they can get to by foot. This may not be a problem for those living in one of the many senior apartments in Des Moines, IA, especially those of a Calamar’s, as theirs is close to amenities, shopping, and dining

What are signs of a senior’s longing for a companion? It commonly starts with subtle hints with one mentioning feeling “lonely” or wishing to see people they haven’t or talk to someone they know well. Caregivers should not dismiss these one-off comments, as they may signal a more serious longing that can even lead to behavioral changes. Changes in demeanor and behaviour is exhibited when they start excluding themselves from daily activities and even from opportunities to go outside and talk to anyone. What makes it trickier is it varies per senior, some tends to withdraw as previously mentioned but some also tend to be more physical in expressing their loneliness. They may start preferring people with long hugs as a first greeting when they previously do it with a handshake. If their loneliness still persists, it may also affect their physical health with the senior complaining about feeling sick even if they are not. While loneliness is classified as a physical illness, it can be after an extended duration of time. What’s worse is it can also affect their mental health. When it reaches an extreme, a senior may go through a phase where he or she will try to befriend strangers that they would typically not do. These could go from health care personnel to people they meet on the street. Worst case scenario is if they meet and befriend fraudulent persons, who will try to abuse their condition and extort money or valuables from the elderly.

However, it does not need to get to that stage. Caregivers and families can both work together to make sure their loved ones are taken cared for and having fun while they spend their summers. Caregivers can set up daily activities that will appeal to seniors’ preferences and capabilities. Seniors can try new physical activities from walking to gardening. Starting a garden is fun way to not only keep one fit but also healthy, as this hobby can lead to a fruitful harvest and happy mood throughout the summer. Independent senior apartments near Kansas City, KS should be great for that especially because of the warm weather in the area. Walks to parks and shops around the city will also be great as it allows interaction with people outside the care home, especially if they are close to other retirement Communities in Des Moines. Families of seniors can also keep them in the loop by sending postcards and photos, especially with the new technology available to facilitate such interaction. While meeting in-person may prove difficult especially for those travelling for most of summer, emails and phone calls should also still be better than having no communication. It will help seniors feel like they are part of the trip, especially with the photos and videos of their loved ones sent to them.