Individuals that do not have large families are more likely to need professional care, research and common sense both indicate. These are people who are elderly, but don’t have a family support system close by. What often happens is that as individuals age, many either move in with younger family members or have those younger family members close by so that they are being checked up on and assisted with some of the activities of daily that they might begin struggling with. In these cases, senior care is often not necessary as a family member can easily complete the tasks needed.
When there isn’t family around, these tasks are very difficult for the elderly person living on their own. There are a number of solutions available that can help here, but one of the easiest is to step in and help someone that you know that might appreciate having you in their lives.
Not only does this allow you to foster a friendship and to be a friend to someone else, it also creates a safety net. If anything were to happen to your neighbor or to yourself, there is a greater system of accountability to keep people safer. For example, if your elderly neighbor fell and was unable to alert anyone that they needed help, there’s a chance that you would notice that something was wrong before things became serious. This is just one of many examples where being a friend can help someone out when family is not around to fill in.
Do you know someone who might fit the description above? If so, it might be worthwhile to check up on them with more frequency and see if they are able to get all of the things done that they need. If they are struggling, you can discuss with them the steps that they would like to see taken to ensure that their senior years are lived out the way that they wish them to be. It’s certainly not something that you must do, but this kind of good deed is often very easy and very much appreciated. Sometimes just the emotional support that you provide by being a friend is enough to drastically increase their quality of life.
So, checking up on an elderly friend of neighbor, although maybe not your direct responsibility, can be a rewarding experience. Just being a friend to someone in need or someone who has difficulty getting out of the house can be mutually beneficial. It will not only help you by doing a good deed, it will help them by giving them more of a social life. This is one of the big benefits of professional in-home care that is often overlooked. Socialization is a key part of being human, and the elderly often have trouble with this. Those without family close by are the ones who tend to suffer the most here. Doing what you can with the people that you know might not be a big gesture, but it will be a cherished one.
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