The findings of medical studies show that isolation could lead to an early death for many seniors who feel unimportant and unloved. Even if their family comes to visit regularly, seniors need their own lives and friends. By living alone in a traditional residential property, many of these individuals spend their days in isolation and away from others most of the time.
A community of seniors offers several great advantages for the elderly residents, and the individuals participate in exercise programs, hosted events, and relaxed settings where everyone can get together and spend time as a group instead of staying in isolation. The right community gives so much to elderly people and offers a terrific life and a healthy lifestyle.
An Increased Rate of Depression
Seniors who stay alone a majority of the time are often depressed and have a negative outlook on life. The individuals either don’t have family or don’t see their family members enough. While doctors can provide medications to treat depression, the underlying cause must be addressed, too. Through an independent living community, the seniors have a better chance of making friends and spending time with like-minded people.
Developing Anxiety and Trust Issues
Since the onset of the pandemic, many seniors have developed anxiety and, with shutdowns, the individuals are more isolated from others, which takes a toll on their mental well-being. When living in an assisted living community, the seniors won’t be as anxious and are less likely to develop serious trust issues.
Elderly people who are isolated for too long develop severe mental conditions, such as agoraphobia, where the person is terrified to leave their home and be around other people. While the process may be slow-moving, a senior who lives in a community meets others who are around their age and understands the person based on similar life experiences.
Reduced Physical Activity
When elderly individuals live in isolation, they don’t exercise regularly, and this could affect their physical health dramatically. Older individuals with existing health complications such as cardiovascular disease need to exercise at least three times a week to improve their heart health.
Low-impact aerobics provide a great way to stay in shape, and many senior communities offer the programs. By participating in the exercise plans, the individuals meet others and get a chance to socialize.
A Significant Loss in Cognitive Abilities
Studies show that seniors who are predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are likely to experience an early onset of the disease if they are isolated from others too regularly. At a senior community, all residents have access to services such as memory care that improve cognitive abilities and slow the progression of these diseases.
Loneliness and Fewer Chances to Socialize
Many elderly individuals spend their lives alone because there aren’t enough ways for the seniors to connect with others, and sometimes these people just stay at home and in isolation. Studies show that loneliness is so powerful that the effects lead elderly people to give up on life and die prematurely. By moving into a community that offers more chances to socialize, the individuals make friends and spend time with new people instead of spending so much time alone and feeling lonely.
Great Places for Seniors
Orchard Park of Permian Basin offers exceptional living environments for seniors, including well-appointed apartments that give the residents all the creature comforts of home. The community offers exceptional services for seniors who can live completely on their own and individuals who may need a little extra help with daily tasks. Seniors will never feel isolated and have access to like-minded neighbors who become fast friends. Families and elderly individuals can learn more about the property and its apartments by setting up an appointment for a tour now.
Senior communities offer wonderful services for the residents, including transportation, housekeeping, and help with simple tasks. By living in the communities, the residents have many chances to socialize with others and make fast friends.
Families want their elderly loved ones to have great experiences during retirement, and no one wants their loved ones to stay in isolation and feel lonely. Studies show the many negative impacts caused by isolation and limited chances to interact with others, and seniors who don’t get out much could succumb to serious mental health crises or die prematurely.
A senior community could give the individuals better opportunities, including beautiful apartments and activities created specifically for elderly residents. The residents have chances to make friends and plan their days according to wonderful choices that only senior communities provide.