INDUSTRY INSIGHT
SENIOR LIVING
SPONSORED CONTENT
Senior Living Communities:
FIGHTING SOCIAL
ISOLATION
Y
ou may have older loved ones in your life. Perhaps a
relative, neighbor or family friend living alone. You
check on them with a phone call or an occasional visit.
You’re doing your best to make sure they’re okay, but
this situation may not be the best for your loved ones. There is a
good chance they are spending the majority of their time alone
in their home – a home they can no longer maintain themselves.
We frequently come across this scenario when we receive
inquiries from the community. Children or relatives of older
adults often wait until they experience burnout from caring
for their loved one before they request information about
our amenities. By this time, their loved one is likely in need of
personal care services.
Many older adults have a deep, emotional connection to
their homes and have no desire to move. Their children often
try to honor their wish by arranging home care services along
with making frequent visits to help maintain the house. This
Specials on Personal Care
accommodations for a limited time.
Contact Cathy Glumac at 412-571-5387.
circumstance still requires a high level of investment from the
caregiver.
Over time, this can become burdensome on the adult children
as they may also have other obligations such as a spouse, their
own children and/or career responsibilities. The older loved one
sometimes realizes this and feels guilty for relying on family
members who may be struggling themselves.
Furthermore, the older adult, although receiving support with
these occasional visits, is not living his or her best life. Your loved
one is alone most of the time, and some studies have seen links
between social isolation, depression, the development of serious
illness and reduced life span.
A move to a senior living community may be the answer. At
the moment, it may not seem like the solution everyone wants,
but it may be what everyone needs. It is the very thing that can
enable an older loved one to maintain a sense of independence
while removing the potential stress between the two of you.
To make the transition easier, it may be a good idea to choose
a senior living community close to home. This way, your loved
one will be in a familiar neighborhood and can remain close to
any friends or neighbors, fostering the opportunity for visiting.
In many cases, we have seen loved ones thrive upon moving
to our community. They participate in a variety of social
opportunities and make new acquaintances along the way,
developing a sense of community and belonging they would
never get living alone in their homes. It’s nothing less than life
changing.
For many older adults, moving to a senior living community
is a big deal – and they’re right. They are leaving their homes
full of memories and belongings to live in a smaller, unfamiliar
place. It’s a monumental, life-changing event for anyone. Being
considerate of their situation can help smooth the transition.
Also, visiting potential communities together can also be
beneficial.
Perhaps it’s your parents who need some help, or your mom is
living alone – or you have a friend in this situation. Don’t wait for
a personal or medical crisis to begin searching for a senior living
community. Begin to explore your options today and feel the
stress lift from your shoulders.
This Industry Insight was written by Erica Gevaudan,
Administrator, Personal Care, Asbury Heights, part of
UPMC Senior Communities.
700 Bower Hill Road, Mt. Lebanon • asburyheights.org
Asbury Heights complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
MT. LEBANON
❘
FALL 2019
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