May is Older Americans Month – 4 ways to combat loneliness

Source by: NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Loneliness and social isolation in older adults are serious public health risks affecting a significant number of people in the United States and putting them at risk for dementia and other serious medical conditions.

Social isolation and feeling lonely may be bad for brain health. Loneliness has been linked to higher risk for dementia, and less social activity has been linked to poorer cognitive function. By taking steps now to reduce your risks for cognitive decline, you’ll help to maintain your cognitive health for the future.

Keep in touch. 

Make a plan for keeping in touch with your friends and relatives.

  • Play cards or other games with friends in person or online.
  • Travel with a group of older adults, such as a retiree group.
  • Video chat or call your friends and family members.
  • Try different restaurants with your loved ones.
  • Listen and share favorite music with your family.
  • Join a group interested in a hobby, such as knitting, hiking, birdwatching, painting, or wood carving.
  • Reconnect with old friends through your high school or college alumni association.

People who engage in personally meaningful and productive activities with others tend to live longer, boost their mood, and have a sense of purpose. Studies show that these activities seem to help maintain their well-being and may improve their cognitive function.

So, visit with family and friends. Consider volunteering for a local organization or join a group focused on a hobby you enjoy. Join a walking group with other older adults. Check out programs available through your Area Agency on Aging, senior center, or other community organizations. Increasingly, there are groups that meet online too, providing a way to connect from home with others who share your interests or to get support.

For senior events in Reno: reno.gov/community/seniors

For senior events for Elko: elkoseniors.org/Services.html

Volunteer.  

Being intellectually engaged may benefit the brain. People who engage in personally meaningful activities, such as volunteering or hobbies, say they feel happier and healthier. Learning new skills may improve your thinking ability, too. For example, one study found that older adults who learned quilting or digital photography had more memory improvement than those who only socialized or did less cognitively demanding activities. Some of the research on engagement in activities such as music, theater, dance, and creative writing has shown promise for improving quality of life and well-being in older adults, from better memory and self-esteem to reduced stress and increased social interaction.

Volunteer for The Northern Nevada Medicare Assistance Program (MAP)! MAP offers FREE training, flexible hours, mileage reimbursement, and the ability to empower, educate, and assist Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers. To get started on your MAP certification, contact MAP’s Director at 775-284-1896 ext 802 Or Call Us Toll FREE at  1-844-826-2085.

Need a ride? Access to Healthcare Network provides FREE non-emergent medical transportation for Senior Citizens, Disabled, and Low-Income Residents in Reno and the Greater Washoe County Area. Click here to learn more, or give us a call, 844-469-4933.

Stay Active.  

Being physically active — through regular exercise, household chores, or other activities:

  • Garden (indoors or out) or do yard work.
  • Take an exercise class or do exercises at home.
  • Go dancing.
  • Join a sports club for older adults, like a bowling club or bocce league.
  • Walk or bicycle with a friend or neighbor.
  • Take a swimming class.
  • Play with your grandchildren. Teach them a game or dance you remember from childhood.
  • Take a stroll around the neighborhood or on nature trails.

Studies link ongoing physical activity with benefits for the brain and cognition as well, although a strong link between physical activity and Alzheimer’s disease prevention has not yet been documented.

Adopt a Pet.

Consider adopting a pet. Animals can be a source of comfort and may also lower stress and blood pressure.

 According to Pets for the Elderly, while any pet owner can certainly attest to the many benefits of living with a furry friend, research confirming the health benefits of senior pet ownership have appeared in many well-respected publications and medical journals.

Studies have shown that the bond between people and their pets can increase fitness, lower stress, and bring happiness to their owners. Some of the health benefits of having a pet include: decreased blood pressure, decreased cholesterol and triglyceride levels, decreased feelings of loneliness and increased opportunities for socialization.

Visit Nevada Humane Society for more information on how you can adopt a pet today! 

Additional Senior resources by AHN:

Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) mission is to empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, pre-enrollees, their families, and caregivers in preventing, detecting, and reporting healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse. Through outreach, counseling, and education, the SMP program increases health care awareness and understanding to protect Medicare beneficiaries from the economic and health-related consequences of Medicare/Medicaid fraud, errors, and abuse.

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free unbiased and objective Medicare counseling and enrollment assistance to maximize individualized access to care and benefits. The SHIP mission is to empower, educate, and assist Medicare-eligible individuals and pre-enrollees, their families, and caregivers through objective outreach, counseling, and training, to make informed health insurance decisions that optimize access to care and benefits.

Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA)

Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) assists low-income Medicare beneficiaries with information and applications for cost savings programs. The mission of MIPPA is to provide intensified outreach to low-income Medicare beneficiaries who may be eligible for the Medicare Low Income Subsidy (LIS) or the Medicare Saving Program (MSP) and offer guidance to beneficiaries regarding their benefits. In addition, MIPPA involves enhanced outreach and application assistance to potentially eligible individuals of these programs and for the purposes of conducting outreach activities aimed at preventing diseases and promoting wellness.

Nevada Care Connection (NVCC)

NVCC is our states established network of aging and disability resource centers, and it has been administered by Access to Healthcare Network (AHN) to serve as a single point of entry of assistance with information and resource navigation of long-term support services for older adults, people with disabilities (of any age), family members, and care providers for the following 12 Northern Nevada counties: Washoe, Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey, and White Pine.

NVCC helps individuals of all ages and income levels obtain the services and support they need by establishing one-on-one assistance through a single organization. This one-stop-shop works to promote independent living by providing access to needed services and reducing the stress of navigating benefits.

Our Resource Navigators can help fill out your applications, answer questions, and connect you with programs and resources to help you.
Applications include:

• Medicaid
• TANF
• SNAP/Food Stamps
• Energy Assistance
• Rental Assistance/Housing
• And Much More

Call today to talk to a resource navigator at 844-826-2086.