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How To Ensure Your Loved One Has Social Support
Imagine your loved one, embracing the freedom to create their own daily rhythms and personal standards for a fulfilling life, all from the comfort of their own home. It's a beautiful prospect, but it comes with its set of hurdles. While families are often quick to address their loved one's health and safety, they often miss a crucial piece of the puzzle – the need for social connection.
Like all of us, seniors thrive on companionship, shared moments, and a sense of belonging. Unfortunately, many seniors find themselves facing social isolation due to mobility issues or changing health conditions. In fact, around 50% of seniors are at risk of social isolation, and about one-third may eventually experience loneliness. The question is: How can we ensure our loved ones age with joy and fulfillment? The answer lies in nurturing environments that prioritize not just their physical well-being but also their emotional and social health.
What Are the Types of Social Support?
Social support refers to the help and comfort we provide to others that allow them to feel valued and part of something meaningful. It can be as simple as advice, a chat in line at the checkout, or an invitation to dinner. Whatever form it takes, it allows a person to feel connected to others, helping to dissolve feelings of isolation and loneliness and ensure the senior knows they're cherished.
Social support is a broad concept, and there are several kinds of social support you can provide.
Instrumental Support
Instrumental support, also known as material support, is any tangible or physical form of assistance. If a neighbor has lost a loved one, you may fix them a hot dish to provide a sense of ease or comfort. If a community member is experiencing financial troubles, a local organization might take up a collection. Or when someone is moving, you could offer to help pack or carry boxes to the truck. These actions are more than just tasks; they are the embodiment of compassion.
Informational Support
Informational support is helpful knowledge, given at a time when it's vitally needed. For example, when someone is lost in an unfamiliar setting, informational support could be a stranger who provides directions. If a person has received a serious diagnosis, informational support may come in the form of guidance from someone who has lived through the same condition. What both instances have in common is that the person in need no longer feels alone in their journey.
Emotional Support
Emotional support is about practicing empathy, building trust, and showing others that we care about them. Sometimes it's as direct as telling someone "I love you." At other times, it's subtle — listening actively to another's concerns, offering reassurance in times of difficulty, or making the effort to call or write to a faraway friend. Every instance of emotional support is a token of your bond and solidarity with another human being, a reminder of the value that they hold in this world.
Appraisal Support
With this type of support, the goal is to be encouraging to your loved one. Sometimes, all it takes is a reassuring voice to help someone facing a major life decision move forward. Consider a loved one hesitating about aging in place. By offering appraisal support, you lend an ear to their concerns and help them regain confidence in the prospect, boosting their self-esteem to overcome the challenge.
How Visiting Angels Provides Social Support
As a caregiving agency, we at Visiting Angels Spokane understand the importance of social support for seniors. Since our inception in 2007, we've witnessed firsthand the transformational effects of a robust social support system — the improvements in physical and mental health, the richer sense of belonging, and the better overall quality of life.
That's why our approach to home care goes beyond just physical assistance. Our caregivers also build genuine, trust-based relationships with the seniors we serve. We strive to be familiar with your loved one's interests, wishes, and preferences and to understand what material support they may need. We listen carefully and compassionately, as a friend would, to ensure that your loved one receives the guidance, companionship, and encouragement they desire. We're there for those who need support, and we express care in all we say and do.
How We Keep Your Loved One Social
As we believe the strongest social support networks are diverse and wide-ranging, part of our mission as a home care agency is to help seniors overcome isolation through active engagement with the community. We're happy to help fulfill your loved one's social needs through an array of activities, including:
- Joyful companionship and conversation.
- Interaction with your loved one's friends and social groups.
- Healthful walks around the neighborhood.
- Transportation assistance and accompaniment to social functions.
- Exploration of local opportunities for socialization.
In keeping with our personalized approach to home care, Visiting Angels caregivers encourage socialization in accordance with your loved one's preferences. In that way, we can keep their spirits high while fostering sincere connections with the people and places in their surroundings.
Schedule Your Free At-Home Consultation Today
If you have a loved one who could benefit from a program of physical, emotional, and social support, we encourage you to reach out to us today. One of our care coordinators will be happy to schedule a free at-home consultation, which will allow us to learn about your loved one's unique lifestyle and living arrangement. Our evaluation will guide us as we design a care plan that's personalized to your loved one's requirements. As the plan is customizable, you or your loved one may adjust the schedule and services to meet your evolving needs.
We're proud to be part of the social support systems of so many families in the Spokane Valley area, and we're excited to be part of yours, too.