Friendship is an Important Part of Elder Care

[Senior Independent Lifestyles]

Friendships shape the way we live and the choices we make -- and that doesn't change when we get older. Friendship has been shown to relieve stress, grow enjoyment of life and enhance health, making it an important consideration when looking at care choices  your parents or loved ones.

Elder care programs and communities are putting a big emphasis on friendship these days, rather than just focusing on the nuts and bolts of care. Here's how:

Mixed-age programs. With families today living costs, countries and sometimes continents apart, regular visits from young children may be rare for aging adults. Thanks to these programs, that's a thing of the past. In these programs, adults and young children are brought together to work on projects, visit museums and generally enjoy each other's company. Even adults with dementia can help children with art projects, cooking, literacy exercises and other activities. Look for programs like these to help you parents of loved ones feel young again.

Communities that stick together. Continuing-care retirement communities let residents maintain friendships no matter the level of care they require, so there's no moving away to a nursing home where your loved ones won't see their friends anymore. Make sure that whatever options you choose  with your parents or loved ones encourages community and allows time for friends to live, laugh and grow together.

Virtual connections. Staying in touch is easier than it's ever been thanks to email and social networking sites. A little computer literacy can go a long way towards helping your parents or loved ones interact with friends and family.

The simple truth is that loneliness is a killer. Make sure your loved ones feel loved as they grow older, and choose a program that emphasizes it.