The new awareness of the effect of screens is focused on children and teens. Physical and mental health are affected as well as academic performance, social development, and even brain development. The NYS Legislature is currently debating a bell to bell ban on phones in schools.

Seniors are affected by excessive TV time, too. Various studies tracking seniors who watch two to three hours and those who watch over five hours show increased risk of brain related disorders as well as actual changes in the brain. Memory impairment is one category which includes impact on short-term memory, forgetfulness, and difficulty retaining new information. There is strong concern about digital dementia because increase in Alzheimer’s is real.

Some studies show mental health effects of too much television viewing; fear of their situation, impact of the news, and current focus on crime naturally cause anxiety and more. Stroke and Parkinsons also show up in greater numbers among excessive viewers in the senior population.

What is a caregiver to do when there are so many hours to fill? Creatively using technology may be an answer.

Joining digital classes in a small group of peers may help. Learning and updating skills with good company is fun as well as stimulating. PSS Life University offers many choices. GetSetUp is an online community of people who want to learn new skills, connect with others and unlock new life experiences; it may be free in your location.

But let’s not overdo it. Human engagement is critical as the data about the loneliness epidemic increases. Social isolation, however, needs to be combatted with creativity and energy.

Need a push on how to do this for yourself and your senior? Listen to Dr. Ruth Westheimer’s final book, The Joy of Connections: One Hundred Ways to Beat Loneliness on audio. It’s read by actress Tova Feldshuh and it’s very compelling with its brief calls to actions packed with examples from her personal life. As NYS Ambassador of Loneliness, Dr. Ruth has some tried and true anecdotes from her challenging life. As a young orphan, holocaust survivor, immigrant, and single parent, she embraced with initiative, energy, and gratefulness and brought people into her life. She stresses quality relationships, those in which you invest time and grow over time, rather than many superficial relationships. Planning get togethers in the house when she did not have money for babysitters, for example, yielded deep satisfying connections for her for decades.

 Dr. Ruth divides connections into several contexts: self, family, friends, community, and technology. Each can become a source of satisfaction and happiness if meaningful relationships are pursued. Her book includes a monthly calendar for these 100 connections building activities.

The one thing seniors and midlifers have in common is time for enrichment. What better thing to enrich one’s life with than people? A proven source of happiness and fulfillment is deep connection to other human beings. Technology can help maintain those connections, but they do need time. Turning off the television is just the start of a better, more joyous life. Scientists tell us to do so; Dr. Ruth tells us how.

Read more articles from Caring Professionals Home Care Agency:

• Handling the Difficult Patient During a Medical Crisis
• Change My Diet, Really?!
• Why CDPAP PAs Have New Options—and How You Can Benefit
• I’m confused! Home health care, home care, personal care. What’s the difference?
• Caring for a Parent Without the Family Feud
• An Aging Expert’s Top Nine Tips for Aging Well
• Spousal Caregiving 101: Navigating the Shifts in Love and Responsibility