Remember during the height of the pandemic, when social distancing was the norm and we needed to settle for virtual visits? One of the most fundamental aspects of being a human – physical touch – was set aside in order to protect us all from harm.
However, we promptly found that cutting out physical contact with each other caused a great deal of harm in and of itself. It’s especially necessary for aging parents who have experienced isolation or loneliness to feel connected to those they love, and there’s an easy but highly beneficial solution: hugs.
Research has revealed the many health benefits of hugs for seniors. The following incredible health effects can be obtained by giving and receiving hugs:
• Enhanced circulation in the body
• Regulation of the production of white blood cells
• An improvement in positive emotions, like happiness, contentment, and security
• Fewer negative emotions, such as loneliness and anger
• Lower blood pressure and a regulated heart rate
• Reduced pain
• Reduced stress
• Improved sleep and glucose metabolism
• A strengthened immune system
One retirement home in New York tested the effect of hugs on older adults with a program called “Embraceable You.” This voluntary program drew 200 participants who rated their current level of satisfaction with their well-being and overall health. In addition, they noted the amount of casual touch experienced in their lives. Trained “hug ambassadors” were brought in to administer appropriate types of touch, while residents were given buttons to wear if they were interested in participating in the hug experiment.
Throughout the study, residents were given a token for every single hug they received. In a short time, residents were seeking out huggers, and by the end of the first week, they had accumulated nearly 1,400 hugs.
At the conclusion of the study, the participants were surveyed and sectioned off into two categories: low contact (1 or 2 instances of physical contact per day) and high contact (more than three instances daily). The high contact participants overwhelmingly noted higher amounts of satisfaction in the following areas:
• Able to concentrate well (93%)
• Sleeping well (71%)
• Interest in doing things (88%)
• Feeling energetic (66%)
• Not feeling depressed or hopeless (97%)
It just goes to show what an extraordinary difference such a seemingly insignificant display of affection can make for the senior loved ones that you know.
Connect with Independence-4-Seniors Home Care at (630) 323-4665 to discover more ways to improve older adult health and to learn how our in-home care in Riverside and the surrounding areas can make a difference in the life of someone you love.