Senior Shut-In: How to Help a Reclusive Person

It is easy for our senior loved ones to become more reclusive as they age. It can be more difficult for them to leave the house because they can no longer drive or because they are just not as mobile as they used to be.

There may also be less opportunities for them to socialize. Often, they can become so isolated that they become shut-ins. 

What Is a Shut-In?

Shut-ins are people who are confined to a home, room, bed or even a hospital due to an illness or incapacity. Shut-ins can sometimes be reclusive people who choose to isolate themselves, but for the purposes of this article we will assume the senior shut-in is not isolating solely by choice. 

Download Our FREE Path to Care Guide

How to Help a Reclusive Person

The best way to help a reclusive person is simply by showing up. Spend time with them, chat with them, help them out with things around the house. You can also be their method for getting out of the house. Your loved one may only be reclusive because they can no longer drive, but they can still complete activities outside of the house, like shopping, running errands, or even a fun activity like going to a movie or participating in a game night at the local community center.

Some other ways you can help and support your senior loved one are:

• Encourage them to keep themselves busy in the home. Grab some large print books they will enjoy from the local library so they can read. They may also enjoy solo activities like crossword puzzles or word searches, which are great for cognitive health in addition to being fun. Puzzles are another good solo activity that can be done sitting down. 
• Help them exercise. The exercise could be as simple as a walk around the block, some chair yoga in the home, or even simple stretching exercises. It is just important to help them stay mobile, which will ultimately help them stay safe and independent. If they are healthy enough for a group exercise class, they might enjoy Zumba, yoga, tabata or tai chi, which can all be modified to their level and provide an opportunity to socialize as well as exercise. 
• Assist them in adopting a pet. Caring for a pet gives your senior loved one a sense of purpose, and if their pet is a dog that needs walks, it can even get them out of the home and exercising. Just make sure they can safely take care of the pet, and the family has a plan in place should they not be able to care for their pet for its entire lifetime. Some shelters also have “seniors for seniors” programs, in which the senior person fosters a senior pet and the shelter takes care of all veterinary needs and expenses. It is an excellent way to provide companionship for the senior person and get the senior pets out of shelters to enjoy their golden years in a loving home. 
• Gardening is a great activity for shut-ins. It gets the seniors outside into the sunshine and watching a garden grow can provide a sense of accomplishment and pride. 

If your senior loved one needs some more support in the home, consider in-home care. There are many options for in-home care from help with hygiene, to just a few hours of support each day, to 24-hour live-in care. All of these options can help your loved one stay living in their home for as long as possible. Contact our caregiving team at 1-800-GRISWOLD or find a Caregiver near you.