Do you have an elderly loved one who served in the military and seems to spend too much time alone? You may wonder if veteran’s home care could help them feel more connected to others.
Loneliness is especially common for veterans who have recently lost a spouse or whose children no longer live nearby. Even if they’re still living independently, too much independence can sometimes lead to feelings of isolation.
How to Tell if Your Aging Veteran is Lonely
Everyone expresses emotions differently, and veterans who have lived through traumatic experiences often learn to cope by being stoic and quiet about their feelings. This can make it challenging to recognize when they are struggling with issues that don’t have obvious physical signs.
For families, it’s important to watch for subtle indicators that their loved one might need support. In such cases, veteran’s home care providers can provide the assistance they need, offering specialized care to improve their quality of life.
Four Signs of Extreme Loneliness
Everyone may feel a little lonely now and again, especially after a loved one’s passed on, but if your loved one is feeling isolated and the loneliness has begun to affect his mental state, you might notice these signs.
- He might be sick more often. Constant feelings of loneliness can weaken the immune system, making him more vulnerable to becoming ill.
- His mood may change. You might suspect you’ll see him acting sad, but sometimes loneliness can express itself in anger or resentment toward others.
- He might be sleeping a lot.
- He might be burying his loneliness in food or alcohol.
Tips for Helping Your Loved One Reconnect with Others
Helping your loved one find new companions or reconnect with old ones can be challenging. Veteran’s home care providers often recommend suggesting that an old friend or family member might need help with a skill your loved one has, giving them a meaningful reason to reach out. You can also encourage them to attend community events where they can meet new people.
For those who are mostly homebound, connecting online can be a helpful way to reduce loneliness. Be sure to review online safety rules and guide them toward trusted, safe online communities where they won’t be taken advantage of.
Another tip suggested by veteran’s home care providers for lonely veterans is to consider pet ownership. While it may not be suitable for everyone, having a pet can provide a loving companion and help alleviate feelings of loneliness by offering constant companionship.
Veteran’s Home Care Providers Can Reduce Loneliness
If your loved one needs a companion and struggles with getting out of the home, you can have a companion come to him to provide someone to connect with and engage with. A home care provider who specializes in veteran’s home care can spend time playing games with your loved one, taking him for walks around the neighborhood, or helping him with chores around the home, such as meal prep and light house cleaning.
Your veteran’s home care provider can also help with transportation so that when your elderly loved one is ready to go out and participate in a community event, he will have safe transportation to and from the location. Before you know it, your loved one will be back to being engaged with the people around him and feeling a lot less lonely.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Veteran’s Home Care in New Haven, CT, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services of New Haven, CT, today. Call (203) 538-6273
At Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Fort Hartford, CT, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in New Haven, Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Cheshire, Derby, Milford, Naugatuck, Orange, Prospect, Seymour, Shelton, Stratford, Trumbull, West Haven, Woodbridge, and Woodmont and surrounding areas in Connecticut.
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