In an assisted living facility, it is necessary to meet the social needs and interest of the residents. However, the same applies when you are caring for your loved one at home. Your goal should be to allow seniors to be as independent as they can, and you want to provide social activities for them.
Help senior residents understand that it’s not the end of the world. The reality is that they might still have a lot of time left. Instead, turn this into a new chapter of their life.
Remember, they have plenty of time on their hands, it’s most likely you, or other members of your family who are busy.
Ways to Meet the Social Needs and Interests of Senior Residents
When we talk about the social needs of the elderly, we are referring to their physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. You should never leave senior citizens isolated. You need to keep them as active as you can, and keep them socially in contact with others.
Here are a few suggestions on how to respect their interest and social needs.
• Provide Transportation When Needed – Seniors can get to a point where they cannot move around like they used to and need assistance. Yet, they still want to be able to visit friends, go to church, or even go out for their favorite ice cream. Make sure that there is always someone available to help them enjoy those activities.
• Aging in Place – The first step in helping to meet the social needs and interests of senior residents is to make them as comfortable as possible. Allowing senior citizens to age in place gives them the opportunity to remain in familiar settings.
• Treat Them Like a Queen or King – Why not give them some of their favorite food on occasion? Does your loved one like a bouquet of flowers or their favorite music CD? Why not buy those items and make them feel pampered every now and then?
• Schedule Meetings with Family and Friends – Schedule certain days of the week where they can get together with other friends or maybe meet new ones. Regardless of the cognitive state of your loved ones, it’s always a good idea to get them together with other seniors or other adults and children.
• Go for Short Trips – Getting out of the house, breathing fresh air, and looking at the beautiful scenery can all be beneficial and entertaining for seniors. This is especially the case if they are together with family members.
Social Needs for Seniors – Conclusion
In order to meet the social needs and interests of seniors under your care, you need to be active with their daily schedules. If you participate in any activities with them, it can be special. The simple things in life can mean a lot.
For more info, contact Applewood Our House
I agree that aging in place would be a good idea for the senior. I like the idea of making sure that my dad is having all his needs met, so if helping him to stay home could do that, then that sounds good. I should consider getting an in-home caregiver for him so he could do that.