Purpose
Safe Holiday
ESSENTIAL Naples
Travel for Seniors
By Kerri Johnson
FALL 2021
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ravel is once again soaring and more people are making travel plans—surpassing even 2019 pre-pandemic travel. Many people are just plain tired of being cooped up in their homes and feeling disconnected from the outside world, and others believe herd immunity or vaccinations will keep them safe and are willing to take a chance and do what matters to them most—spend time with family.
Keeping Seniors Connected to Family
“Seniors who maintain strong ties with their family have even been shown to outlive those who report less favorable relationships.” —Kerri Johnson
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The importance of family in a senior’s life is immeasurable. Not only does family provide a consistent social network, but evidence also indicates that the relationship a senior keeps with family has a direct impact on their overall quality of life. The connection between family and health is key as we age. When it comes to maintaining a high quality of life, staying connected to friends and family was a primary concern for about 30% of those surveyed in the United States Aging Survey. Perhaps surprisingly, relationships were more important than financial resources for the majority of people surveyed. Seniors who maintain strong ties with their family have even been shown to outlive those who report less favorable relationships. If the potential for a longer life doesn’t make you want to connect with your loved ones, here are a few more reasons why the need for family is so great.
Connection Is the Cure
The significance of family goes deeper than just the senior’s desires—there is a strong correlation between health and the strength of one’s family relationships as well. The benefits associated with elders who report having stronger ties with their families include: • Longer life. Elders who are more socially involved with family members are more likely to live longer than those who remain isolated. This is even true for those in late stages of dementia. Although perhaps not apparent, family presence prolongs their life and improves the quality of their remaining years. • Stronger immune system. Social seniors often have stronger immune systems. This is especially important because older immune systems are typically weaker than younger ones. • Improved mental health. Seniors who are close to their families have better mental health than those who are not. Interacting with family and being reminded that they are loved reduces feelings of depression. • Brain health. More socially engaged seniors typically have a higher level of cognitive function. Those who reported being happy and engaging in social activities were more likely to have an increase in memory and thinking skills; those who indicated the opposite experienced a decline in cognitive abilities.
10/6/21 9:12 AM
