Educating and informing the family care provider currently caring for loved ones is one of the best ways Always Senior Care Services is insured homebound seniors receive the quality care they deserve. With this in mind, Ryan Engar, Licensed Clinical Social Worker for Always Best Care, in collaboration with Fran Wilby, PhD, Assistant Professor, Executive Director of the WD Goodwill Initiatives on Aging and O. William Farley, PhD, Professor at the College of Social Work University of Utah to write articles and training manuals for Always Best Care Senior Services Service providers and family members about the importance of socialization.

Ageing populations, nationally and around the world, is at the forefront of people’s minds today.Developed countries around the world experienced “aging boom” because people are living longer. Nationally, estimates that the number of people aged 65 + will grow to 80 million by the year 2050 with the fastest growing group into those aged 85 + (U.S. Census Bureau, 2004).

With increased longevity comes an increase in the number of years retired. As the demographic shift in our nation, caring for aging family members their loved one will not quite care enough to help our senior citizens. More and more families will begin to invite the professionals who care to their house for help. For this reason Always Best Care Senior Services there. During the last 14 years Always Best Care has received in many houses in an effort to improve not only the quality of life of individuals who receive treatment, but the quality of life of family members as well. In 2040, the people who live to 65 years could expect to live an additional 15 to 20 years-so spend 21% to 23% of their total retirement age (Smeeding, 2010). If these numbers seem staggering-even more surprising to wonder what people will do with this time.

With retirement came the withdrawal from the normal working cycle and working relationships.Although many older adults who handle the transition from work to retirement very well, others experience emotional difficulties during the phase of life. Loss of contact with close associates and the loss of a sense of purpose in life can lead to increased social isolation and depression.In addition to chronic disease burden can create normal routines difficult and strains the financial resources. So what role socialization in maintaining the health and welfare through retirement and beyond?

Socialization plays a major role in maintaining the quality of life as one ages. Research has shown that those older adults who have a strong social network, seems to have a higher quality of life, live longer and healthier than with little social support (Glass, Mendes de Leon, Marottolie & Berkman, 1999) . In addition, research has shown that strong social support seems to protect against cognitive decline and self-reported disability (Mendes de Leon, Glass, & Berkman, 2003). The “use it or lose it ‘theory appears to be true-social involvement can stimulate multiple body systems including the cognitive system, heart, and neuromuscular.
social involvement also seems to be active and strengthen strategies for coping with life-long pattern of connections to other people and resources (Barnas, Pollina, & Cummings, 1991).

Given the importance of socialization to the healthy-aging that occurs in adults who do not have strong social networks and social support? A number of factors can affect the social networks of older adults, family size and mobility of small-family member leaves many older adults are isolated from family support and resources. Adults who live past 80 years found that many of their friends and in some cases family members who have passed away, leaving them more isolated and alone. Chronic disease can affect the ability of parents to leave the house for social activities. Limited transportation options for those who no longer drive can leave them isolated in their homes. This is in cases where many services that provide the Best Service Always mesh perfectly to provide assistance not only important to maintain health and safety of their clients, but also tackle the problem caused by the insulation. Always Best Care provides an opportunity for friends and family to be reunited through the transportation and the opportunity to socialize and form meaningful relationships with people who really care for them within the walls of their own homes.

As a society we are less ready to provide assistance to older adults who are isolated in their homes. Creation of community-based programs are needed now and will become more important as a social program strains of an aging population. One such program, developed at the University Of Utah College Of Social Work by Wilford Goodwill and O. William Farley, Neighbors Helping Neighbors is a program (NHN). NHN is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the health, safety and quality of life for senior living communities through the promotion and maintenance of independent living. NHN trying to enable older adults to live in society as long as possible while training social work students and community volunteers.

In Utah, as well as other communities across the nation, caring individuals who have responded to our cry for help aging population. In many cases only need a little help from outside sources for older adults in the house if the outside source is a family member or care provider from one of the many home care agencies created to address those needs. In a growing number of cases where family members had the responsibility to draw them out of the hands-on service to the people they love, bodies such as Always Best Care can adjust the amount of their involvement in the lives of individuals in an effort to maintain their quality of life. Remaining in the home where memories are formed, with a little help from service providers, allowing an older adult to remain in society with dignity and without suffering from the consequences of social isolation. Whatever our society to step up and create the kind of service that will enable older adults to remain in their homes, without isolation, if that is what they choose.