Importance of Social Engagement

A significant trend among senior aid has been the incorporation of social engagement into their daily routine. This incorporation is particularly important for seniors who live alone and navigate their lives with minimal support. As one of the primary caregivers for my grandmother, I wish this were something that I had been informed about early on.

One of the unfortunate realities about growing older is the tendency to grow apart. As we grow older, we become focused on our lives, careers, and relationships. We fail to recognize the figures who helped us reach this stage of independence. All while we are consumed in navigating our own lives, we pay no mind to how the individuals who raised us are declining. All the sudden, the very people who carried us required to be carried.

Allotting a few minutes of your schedule can make a significant difference in their day. At least from personal experience, grandparents don't expect a lot from their grandchildren. They would be content with their loved ones spending a few minutes with them each day. Seniors want to sustain the feeling of being present in the lives of their children and grandchildren.

As most teenagers, I was overwhelmed with a wide variety of emotions. These frustrations led me to overlook the emotional needs of my grandmother. I was overconsumed by the little things. I began to take my time with her for granted and failed to realize how much she valued the little things. She never explicitly asked me to sit with her, tell her about my day, or anything else. After a while, I began to notice a yearning in her. She missed her grandchildren, and she didn’t know how to say it.

Hence, I began to search for ways to spend time with her. Social engagement does not require extensive work or commitment. Social engagement can be participating in activities that they enjoy, sharing a meal, going for a walk together, or hopping on a video call. It refers to acts that serve as a reminder that they are not alone.

I would try to share a meal with my grandmother, or I would engage in a game of catch with her. I found these small moments together brought her so much joy. Despite her Alzheimer's affecting her memory and mood, she was always excited to see me. As we spent more time with her, I began to regret not coming to this realization sooner. I would wonder about the stories she would have shared if I had been more present when she was lucid. Fortunately, my support system would remind me that we couldn’t change the past, but we could work towards providing the best environment now.

Hence, I became fixated on ensuring there was some form of social engagement in her day. I would try to do her hair, paint her nails, and sit by her side when she was having a recollection of her past. Her perception of reality was jaded, but those small episodes gave me insight into her past. I found that her mood improved when we had these dedicated moments together. Her appetite began to increase along with her compliance towards her support workers. They would mention she was a lot more polite, and she would take her medication with little to no struggle.

Thus, we can see that meaningful engagement with seniors is highly beneficial to their mood and well-being. There are studies indicating that social engagement can be linked to improved physical functioning, reduced possibility of disability, and cognitive decline. The examples of social engagement listed above can easily be implemented by family members of seniors. However, there is a lack of engagement for seniors who live alone.

Seniors who navigate life by themselves can be at risk for social isolation. They lack social connections and a sense of community, which can lead to bearing lonely feelings. Social isolation presents several issues, ranging from struggles with daily functions to weakened immune function to the potential cognitive decline. Unfortunately, Statistics Canada indicates that one in five Canadian seniors experiences loneliness. Moreover, senior immigrants are more likely to experience loneliness than Canadian-born seniors. The cultural and language difference, create more gaps in their community. They tend to struggle when they are unable to adhere to their cultural norms and speak their preferred language.

These statistics indicate the importance of checking on your aging loved ones who live by themselves. They may be unable to communicate their desire for connection, but human nature makes them social beings. As previously mentioned, social engagement does not require extensive commitment or research. You can have a simple video call, grab a meal with them, or visit them on a weekly basis. These little moments can make a big difference in their lives. They act as a reminder that they are loved and their presence is wanted. Many people are scared of growing older, but it feels less frightening when you know you have a supportive community.

AI Tools and Prompts

Opening Image Prompt

Created usingGPT Image 1, Nano Banana, Seedream 4.0, and FLUX.1. 

Prompt: “Generate a split screen image, where a group of seniors are laughing on the right and the left has a socially withdrawn senior looking out the window, use different settings for each”

Painting Nails Image Prompt

Created usingGPT Image 1, Nano Banana, Seedream 4.0, and FLUX.1. 

Prompt: “Generate a photo of a granddaughter painting her grandmother’s nails, regenerate with a POC granddaughter and grandmother, reducing closeup”