Northern Virginia seniors are suffering a silent epidemic: loneliness. Due to challenges ranging from mobility limitations to cognitive decline and a dwindling friend group, it is common for older folks to gradually lose their connection with others and the world outside their living spaces. Senior loneliness also has tangible physical consequences, threatening the longevity of your aging parent and decreasing their quality of life.
However, many programs are available to combat senior loneliness. For families in Virginia, these local options provide much-needed assistance to keep elders socially engaged, even if they cannot leave the house. If you have been struggling to find such opportunities for your parent or loved one, here are some of the top programs and services in Northern Virginia and the medical research backing their value.
The Importance of Senior Community
The numbers may take you by surprise. As many as one in three older adults would describe themselves as lonely, and 24% of adults over the age of 65 meet the criteria to be considered fully socially isolated. While it is true that these individuals deserve the joy and enrichment found in socialization, such engagement also offers medical benefits.
For instance, individuals who remain socially isolated experience a 50% increased risk of dementia, and they are 30% more likely to suffer from a stroke or coronary artery disease. These significant medical diagnoses aside, a socially isolated individual is still 26% more likely than their peers to pass away. Neglecting connections, mental engagement, and a sense of community correlates directly with senior loneliness & a shortened life expectancy.
Northern Virginia Programs and Services
For health reasons, it is imperative that families understand which local opportunities can provide socialization for their loved ones. Northern Virginia is supportive of its aging community and offers numerous opportunities. These include the following:
Friendly Visitor/Caller Programs
Multiple volunteer and senior organizations in Northern Virginia provide friendly visitor programs. These initiatives, carried out largely by notable elder support agencies such as SCNOVA and Senior Services of Alexandria, provide volunteers to visit elders at home or reach them via phone.
Trained and vetted volunteers spend at least one hour talking to and visiting with an older individual; this may be conducted in person for those who are able, but phone calls are available as an alternative for accessibility or preference.
Naborforce
In this program, friendly “Nabors” visit an elder’s home for anything from board games and puzzles to calming conversation. Every individual is screened and matched with an older person who fits well with their personality and interests. Nabors can also assist with light housekeeping and attend medical appointments to wait with the individual so they remain safe and supported.
ElderLink
Fairfax County provides the ElderLink service, which offers workshops and other helpful resources to aging adults and their families. These include fall prevention programs to help seniors remain mobile, caregiver support networks for families caring for an aging loved one, and more. Their Respite program provides in-home companionship as well!
AARP Online
Communities across the world host virtual meeting places, and for tech-savvy children of aging adults, helping your loved one participate in these social groups may come naturally. If you are having difficulty finding the right fit, AARP Online offers community and discussion forums for people who are all around the same age group and experiencing the same challenges and successes.
Virtual Center for Active Adults
As another program offered by Fairfax County, the VCAA aims to enrich the lives of older individuals by providing interactive programs and virtual events to involve them in the local community and keep their minds engaged.
From educating them on how to use Zoom to offering Spanish classes, chair yoga, and meet-ups for music lovers, there are plenty of ways for an aging adult to connect with others based on shared experiences or hobbies.
These classes can also be especially useful for families. Many adult children of aging parents are comfortable with the internet, technology, and constant digital connection. As a result, the skills seniors learn at the VCAA (such as Zoom, basic computer literacy, etc.) can help them stay closely connected with their own families.
Senior Centers Without Walls
In areas where a senior center is not available to offer elder-friendly programming, SCWW can help. Coordinated by Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS), SCWW offers activities ranging from volleyball to church and library participation suited to individual physical and cognitive abilities.
Keep Your Loved One Engaged and Connected
Senior loneliness is a health problem, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally. If you need help locating resources to combat your loved one’s isolation, SCNOVA can help. Contact us to discover how the Shepherd’s Center of Northern Virginia is making a difference in communities such as Oakton, Vienna, Dunn Loring-Merrifield, Great Falls, Herndon, and Reston. If you’re outside these areas but have questions, give us a call, and we’ll guide you to the Shepherd’s Center nearest to you!