Rockford Caregivers: Help Seniors Stay Social & Engaged
For many older adults, aging doesn’t stand in the way of them continuing to have a healthy social life–nor should it! For others, however, health or lifestyle challenges can prevent them from keeping a beneficial social life. Whether it is due to mobility, transportation restrictions, or simply lack of encouragement, seniors can easily find themselves becoming isolated from others.
If you’re a family or professional caregiver of a senior who struggles to stay socially engaged, you can play a part in helping them overcome this hurdle. This might mean providing transportation around town to help seniors get to their destinations safely. It also means providing the extra encouragement that they may need to commit to plans. Socializing isn’t always easy; it can be intimidating at any age. Having a supportive and motivating friend to give a nudge can make them feel a lot more comfortable, especially when trying something new.
Why Social Interaction Matters for Older Adults
For seniors, social engagement goes beyond just having fun– it’s necessary for healthy aging. Spending time with friends and loved ones has the power to reduce feelings of isolation, encourage physical activity, and may even prevent dementia.
Local Recreation Opportunities
Rockford, IL, and its surrounding areas offer plenty for the average senior to do to stay engaged. And for those days when the senior you’re caring for prefers to stay home, there are virtual alternatives to give them the socialization they need.
Book Clubs
If you or the senior in your life is an avid reader, book clubs are a great way to bond with others over a shared love of literature. A few free book clubs in the area include Womanspace of Rockford, Katie’s Cup, and the Beloit Public Library. Additionally, bookstores, like Maze Books on East State Street, are fun places to visit and pick up a few newly-released favorites.
Senior Centers
Senior centers are one of the best places for older folk to get together and enjoy shared activities. Grinnell Hall in Beloit and Keen Age Center in Belvidere provide seniors with fun activities and the option to socialize and learn skills.
Fitness and Wellness
Keeping older adults moving is key to successful aging. The YMCA of Rock River Valley features group exercise classes, including yoga and water aerobics. Caregivers can help seniors find and sign up for unique fitness opportunities, such as 55 and Better dance classes at Rockford Dance Company.
Continuing Ed Classes
The Center for Learning in Retirement at Rock Valley College offers seniors the opportunity to learn new skills and make connections through classes, workshops, and trips. Caregivers can assist seniors in registering for courses such as woodcarving, cooking, and genealogy, as well as provide a safe ride to and from campus.
Virtual Meetups
Mobility issues and other challenges can prevent seniors from seeing their friends and family on a regular basis, even if they live nearby. Thankfully, modern technology has made regular digital “visits” possible. On days when seniors are unable to leave the house, their caregiver can assist them with making video calls to friends or family or with participating in one of the virtual events offered by Go Rockford.
Related Reading: Engaging Activities for Seniors
Visiting Angels Helps Seniors Stay Connected
Everyone deserves the opportunity for a full and vibrant life in their older years. If you are a family caregiver for someone who could benefit from extra assistance with staying active in the Rockford community, get in touch to learn more about how our in-home care services and compassionate Angels can help.
Call 815-977-3452 to talk to a care coordinator from Visiting Angels Rockford.