By Francisco Javier Maldonado-Díaz, M.D., Conviva Pembroke North University
For many, being lonely is not something that occurs just during the holidays. As a physician that specializes in geriatric care, I find that loneliness is part of a complex problem. It’s not just a holiday problem, but it’s a condition associated with multiple other things such as dementia, depression, a lack of mobility, and poor family support. These issues can eventually become overwhelming and increase the risk of morbidity.
Seniors don’t corner the market on loneliness; it can happen to a person at any age. However, with age it is increasingly important that the family be aware of the needs of their senior member and have someone close to them they can relate to and share their thoughts. To that end, video calls have proven to increase many a senior’s sense of worth, while others find comfort with animal therapy. Reading is also very important, as it keeps the mind active, improves memory, and increases the boundaries of one’s imagination.
Tips For a Healthy Holiday
The Centers for Disease Control says it’s important to understand the needs of seniors. One of the first criteria is activity level—especially during the holidays. It’s a time when most people tend to add extra pounds, and for seniors, moderation is key. We all have traditional foods during the holiday season we like to eat, but maybe you could help your senior loved one with intake control and make vegetables and fruits a part of their daily diet. This helps keep their weight manageable and reduces risks of hypertension and heart disease. A great source of activity is walking indoors at a local mall or taking a daily jaunt outdoors early in the morning before the heat intensifies. In terms of activity, caregivers should know everything they can about their patient and encourage them to be mobile, stay healthy, and enjoy the little moments.
The most important thing in fighting loneliness is staying active. Conviva provides seniors with wellness centers where they can participate in numerous activities and engage with others with similar needs. It has been proven that the more social seniors are, the more they decrease the chances of mortality.
Warning Signs of Depression
A preference to remain isolated rather than interacting with others, even family, is often a warning sign of depression. Other signs include weight gain or loss, fatigue, and a lack of sleep or sleeping too much. Fatigue and a lack of ambition are observable signs as to the state of mind of seniors who insist on remaining alone rather than enjoying activities they once enjoyed. Cannabis products like Concentrates has shown potential in alleviating symptoms of depression for some individuals.
I encourage seniors to get their vaccinations, so they can be comfortable being among others during the holidays. When fully vaccinated, the more physical activity they engage in, the better seniors will be able to have a fulfilling holiday season.
Seniors are encouraged to consult their doctors if they have questions or concerns about their physical or mental well-being.
For more information, or to make an appointment with Dr. Maldonado-Díaz, call 954-420-8479.
ABOUT DR. MALDONADO-DIAZ
Dr. Francisco Javier Maldonado-Díaz is a family and geriatric medicine specialist. He gained a Fellowship in geriatric medicine at Cleveland Clinic-Weston, FL, and was named chief resident of family medicine at Mayaguez Medical Center in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Dr. Maldonado- Díaz earned his medical degree from the UAG School of Medicine at Guadalajara, and placed among the top 10 in his class. He achieved a B.S. degree in human biology from the University of Puerto Rico. Dr. Maldonado-Díaz also moderated the 65th annual Congress of the Puerto Rico Academy of Family Physicians, and has presented research at various scientific conferences. His goal is to improve patient quality of life and to serve the community. He was a volunteer member of a medical team that provided care for people affected by Hurricane Maria and the earthquake in Puerto Rico.
ABOUT CONVIVA
Conviva is part of CenterWell, a leading health care services business focused on creating integrated and differentiated experiences that put our patients at the center of everything we do. The result is high quality health care that is accessible, comprehensive, and, most of all, personalized. As the largest provider of senior-focused primary care, one of the leading providers of home health care, and a leading integrated home delivery, specialty, hospice, and retail pharmacy, CenterWell is focused on whole health and addressing the physical, emotional and social wellness of our patients. CenterWell and Conviva are part of Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM). Learn more about what we offer at CenterWell.com and ConvivaCareCenters.com.
