Even though young people would head to the rural countryside to take a breather every once in a while and escape from city life, older adults may not experience this high quality of life. If your loved ones live in a rural environment, their safety and well-being are at risk due to various factors such as lack of access and poor mental health. This is why we recommend your loved ones to stay close to you or a trusted family member, or in the city where they can receive assistance 24/7 and immediately upon request. To find out why rural living risks loved ones’ safety and health, continue reading.
Lack of Access to Medical Care
It is extremely rare for hospitals to be established in rural areas, which leads to lesser access to medical resources and healthcare professionals for your loved ones. There are a number of factors that can contribute to the shortage of medical care in rural places, such as limited job opportunities, geographic isolation, socioeconomic status, and poor infrastructure. A lack of access to medical care can be detrimental in the case of your loved ones experiencing both severe and minor medical emergencies.
In addition, internet and cellphone services may not be available or reliable in rural areas, making it challenging for your loved ones to contact for help when needed. This is alarming information, particularly for loved ones who live alone or do not have neighbors nearby. The lack of medical facilities in the area can also prompt your loved ones to drive far distances, which wastes valuable time. As such, it’s more practical for your loved ones to stay in a city or location where medical care is readily available.
Increased Risk of Social Isolation and Loneliness
Since people who live in rural environments tend to have a smaller pool of neighbors and friends, this means that your loved ones will have a lack of contact in their social life. It should come as no surprise that social isolation, or in this case, rural isolation as it’s called, can result in various physical and mental complications. In fact, social isolation has been linked to premature death, increased risk of dementia, and depression, to name a few. To prevent these conditions from arising, your loved ones should stay engaged with the community, and how they can do that is by simply residing in urban areas.
Many studies have also shown that socially isolated people tend to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and eating unhealthily. Of course, this causes them to be more vulnerable to chronic health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. This should not be practiced by older adults, whose health should be carefully monitored.
Why Choose Discovery Commons At Wildewood?
Fortunately, all the problems and risks that come with rural living can be easily solved by placing your loved ones in a senior living community. Here at Discovery Commons At Wildewood, your loved ones will never fall into social isolation as there are many activities and events hosted to introduce them to other residents. Whether it’s yoga classes in the morning or movie nights in the evening, your loved ones will be kept entertained throughout the day – all these with the added security of a professional medical team on-site 24/7.
