Live Free Home Health Care, LLC. - Bristol, New Hampshire

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Opportunities for Senior Social Engagement at Home

Nothing can take the place of face-to-face human companionship and interaction, but as a senior becomes increasingly frail, it isn’t as easy to get out of the house for social activity, and alternatives must be found. Now, studies are showing that the Internet may be able to provide some of that missing social and mental stimulation for seniors. Last year Dr. Gary Small, a professor of psychiatry at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, reported that middle-aged and older adults with little Internet experience were able to trigger key centers in the brain that control decision-making and complex reasoning after just one week of surfing the Web.

Although I think this is an interesting study and would certainly encourage seniors to enjoy using the Internet, I believe it is vitally important to provide in-person companionship as well. At Live Free Home Health Care, our well trained caregivers not only provide that much needed social interaction for our clients, but also can assist with suitable mentally engaging activities that fit the client’s personal interests. Our caring staff and excellent home care services help make smiles each and every day.

For more information on this study, please view our July newsletter here.

Read about Project GOAL (Getting Older Adults Online).

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