Age-Related Vision Deterioration
As people age, their vision gradually deteriorates. Memory can also start to play tricks, and balance may no longer be the same. These factors, or even just one of them, can generate a fear of walking alone on the streets. Broadly speaking, insecurity begins to dominate and restrict the movements of elderly individuals outside their homes.
Physical Limitations
On one hand, weakened vision becomes a significant obstacle because it creates fear of not seeing the ground clearly. This is particularly problematic as Portuguese cobblestone streets often have small holes and uneven surfaces. As a result, many elderly individuals choose to walk along the roads, closer to vehicles. While they feel safer because the road is flat, the risk of being hit by a car increases significantly.
In addition, memory issues, which may occasionally miss, pose another barrier to elderly individuals leaving their homes. They fear forgetting personal belongings along the way and not realizing they have lost them. There is also concern that someone might take advantage of their mental fragility to harm them.
Lastly, the sensation of imbalance can worsen the situation, adding yet another reason for elderly individuals to avoid leaving their homes.
The Impact of Physical Limitations on the Elderly’s Daily Life
These physical challenges inevitably impact the lives of elderly individuals, initiating a process of increasing isolation as they remain at home more often. Social activities become less frequent, such as meeting friends for coffee in the neighborhood, shopping, visiting the hairdresser or manicurist, or even going on excursions or outings. This isolation leads to a range of negative emotions, including sadness, nostalgia, a sense of uselessness, and the loss of a sense of belonging. A void emerges, one that television and radio cannot fill.
Meanwhile, the families of elderly individuals are often preoccupied with their own daily tasks and nuclear family responsibilities—working, taking care of children or grandchildren, and maintaining their own households. They do not always have the time to dedicate to their elderly parents as they might wish, due to time constraints.
Support from KindCare
KindCare offers a viable solution to combat isolation. A KindCare Assistant accompanies elderly individuals to their usual café, hairdresser, or supermarket with the necessary security and calm, always matching the elderly person’s pace. This support enables them to maintain social connections and, as a result, replace feelings of sadness, nostalgia, and loneliness with joy, satisfaction, and well-being.
Mental health is essential for sustaining the longevity and physical health of elderly individuals. Maintaining social relationships is a critical component of mental well-being. Contact KindCare to learn more about how we can assist you.