Senior Care: Warding off Loneliness with Technology
Senior Care in Seal Beach, CA – Warding off Loneliness with Technology
They say that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but seniors who have learned to use a computer are proving this
old adage wrong. Although many are quick to assume that all these new innovations in technology are beneficial only to the younger generation, seniors across the country are stepping out of their comfort zone and learning how to use technology to communicate with friends and loved ones. Not only does learning new things help boost brain power and memory skills, but it also helps keeps seniors connected, which wards off loneliness and depression. If your client seems to be isolated and is the introverted type, you can help turn him or her into a social butterfly with a computer and some basic skills.
Boost Cognitive Skills
Computers are not always intuitive. It takes some serious brain power for a senior to accept change and figure out the ins and outs of Outlook to be able to send and receive emails. It may also take some time to learn how the Internet works or be able to operate Microsoft Word. Learning how to accomplish these tasks is excellent for brain health as this increased brain activity can help prevent cognitive decline. Computer use – even if just for a few hours a day – can keep the brain sharp and even help prevent dementia and other cognitive disorders.
Prevent Depression and Other Mental Conditions
Loneliness is common among seniors and when this isolation becomes too severe, it can lead to depression. But online use – particularly to communicate with friends and family on Facebook – can reduce loneliness by 30 percent, according to a study published in the Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences. As a senior care service provider, you can help your client become more virtually social by encouraging computer use. Brush up on your technology skills and help your client open a Facebook account or set up an email address. Your client will be able to keep in touch with friends, family members and even old high school buddies. You can even enlist the help of the client’s family to help – grandchildren are especially helpful in this area. This would be a win-win situation, as your client and grandchildren would be able to spend more time together and the younger generation would be able to teach the grandparent new skills.
If you have any follow-up questions, please contact us (310) 400-6869…we are always here to assist…You are Important to Us!
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Caregiving for You, Inc.
Alicia Aguirre
As a Registered Nurse and primary owner of Caregiving for You, Alicia Aguirre brings over 30 years of hands-on experience as a healthcare practitioner. She began her career in 1980 as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), helping patients in a large convalescent home. In 1984 she transferred to another convalescent care center, added advanced training to her repertoire, and became an Administrator and Activity Director. Alicia worked continuously while raising her daughters, and in 2004 she earned her R.N. licensure. She wanted to make a genuine contribution in her field and to the community with her years of expertise. In 2005 she opened Caregivers U.S.A., Inc. with her daughter, Claudia. Finally, in 2009, Alicia opened Coastal House Residential Care Facility (RCF) in Santa Monica. Alicia is our head Case Manager, meeting with and assessing every client’s needs. She formulates a customized, individualized care plan and matches the appropriate caregiver with each client. During her time off, she enjoys walks at the beach with her husband of 40 years, daughters, and nephew. Alicia’s dream of having her daughters, Claudia and Eva, join her in the medical field has come true. They are carrying on Alicia’s legacy and maintaining her dream of genuinely helping others. Google
