why is socialization and getting out and doing things important for the elderly living in assistant living?

Question

why is socialization and getting out and doing things important for the elderly living in assistant living?

Answer 1

Having worked in several assisted living facilities, I think that I can explain their thinking in relation to your question:

Elderly people are often depressed, and being isolated exacerbates the condition; that is the primary reason why the facilities encourage social interaction. A second consideration is mental stimulation; as they age, the incidences of dementia increase; isolation will encourage the resident's withdrawal into unreality while participation may delay the progress of Alzheimer's disease or similar conditions. Residents furthermore are more likely to feel that someone cares for their welfare if they are included in the facility's activities.

Having said the above, I have often thought that, as a naturally solitary person, should I find myself in a congregant living situation, I would abhor being constantly urged to participate in events which did not interest me! I suppose, though, that, if my brain were disabled, I would be docile enough (or medicated enough) that I would not protest too strenuously!

Answer 2

Elderly people despite being disabled still want to do something , anything. For many getting out stops the isolation they feel. There's nothing worse than going into an assisted living centre, seeing rows of people with vacant stares sitting in the wheelchairs, just waiting for someone to say hello or stop to talk to them.



Bringing in youn people , like day care classes or JK or K classes and having older persons listen to the children read or have the older persons read to the children if they are capable of it , brings generations together who might not normally meet each other. The children learn about disability and aging , the older persons get rejuevenated with youngsters enthusiasm and sense of fun.



Bringing people to concerts and plays stimulates their minds so they can discuss things with each other and their families.



Involving them in music therapy rejuevenates memories for alzheimers patients and with therapy animals might even provoke patients who haven't talked in years to talk or interact with animals.



Just because someone is elderly and infirmed, doesn't mean that as a person they're dead yet.



Ever heard the John Prime/Bette Midler song , Hello in there?

Answer 3

Because we no longer have the ideology that the old are put out to pasture and can't move around. That's not always the case though, but in the last decade or so we've had more active seniors and seniors who have "younger" attitudes. So basically they do things so that the seniors don't feel like they are being isolated or put out to pasture.

Answer 4

Because we have so much to to offer and hey we even have morals and a brain and some mensa over tones and yet fun and exciting people that have guts and we certainly are not LAZY....If you want something done ? Ask a senior citizen they follow through.

Answer 5

Young people like to get out and do things, so seniors are just older than you, they still like to get out and do things! Use the brain God gave you, this is a no-brainer, so you really shouldn't have a hard time figuring out your own answer.

Answer 6

You must have stimuli to function in life. If you are put in a box, with no human contact, eventually you will loose the will to live. This theory has been proved with animals.

Answer 7

As a robot once said in the movie "Short Circuit," Seniors might not say, but they are thinking, "Input, I need input!"

Answer 8

Because counting ceiling tiles is not considered constructive mental & physical stimulation!

Answer 9

It gives them purpose and contributes to quality of life.

Answer 10

Have you ever heard the saying "use it or lose it"??? It applies to the mind, the muscles, the body, etc. This is not only good for seniors but it is good for everyone. It helps keeps peoples minds fresh and we were created to be social creatures, it is our nature!

Answer 11

so that they can still feel alive