TEMPE, Arizona—SYNERGY HomeCare, a homecare franchise, announced the launch of a new total well-being care program in partnership with BetterHelp, a virtual platform aiming to provide access to mental health support and therapy sessions. The program seeks to support seniors in managing their overall health, including physical, mental and social wellness.
The program intends to help seniors prevent falls and injuries by offering exercise plans that can enhance strength, balance and mobility. The program also seeks to provide mental stimulation that keeps the mind active, promotes mindfulness exercises for finding fulfillment and happiness, and fosters social interactions via wellness calls and community engagement. Additionally, the program aims to extend support to the client’s families through respite services.
“Understanding and supporting seniors' physical, emotional and social needs and how they contribute to overall wellness is the foundation of our new total well-being program,” said Jenn Chasteen, chief marketing officer of SYNERGY HomeCare. “Addressing all of these needs holistically is a unique approach that leads to an enhanced quality of life and overall health for older adults who can be especially vulnerable. It also provides family members with peace of mind that their loved one’s overall health and happiness is well managed.”
By partnering with BetterHelp, SYNERGY HomeCare clients, family caregivers and staff will be able to receive complimentary access to the platform for 30 calendar days, after which they can subscribe to the platform at a 15% discount.
The well-being program seeks to address the following components of seniors' overall health.
- Physical: By the age of 75, a third of all men and half of all women are not active, and inactivity is more prevalent among those experiencing a chronic disease. The program aims to improve physical health by helping seniors add any amount of exercise to improve health. SYNERGY caregivers aim to assist with a wide range of daily activities, including bathing, dressing and using the toilet; medication reminders, healthy meal preparation, mobility assistance and light exercise—which can improve strength, stamina and reduce risk of falls.
- Mental: Anxiety or depression affects 25% percent of adults 65 and older, while those aged 85 and above have the highest suicide rates of any age group, with men dying by suicide four times more often than women. The program aims to improve emotional and social well-being through wellness phone calls and in-person companion care, which can provide isolated seniors with the chance to enjoy social interactions and connections with their caregiver through friendly and meaningful conversations, as well as a variety of interactive games and activities.
- Social: Loneliness has been linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety and suicide, and can lead to a greater risk of heart disease, stroke and dementia. SYNERGY caregivers seek to assist clients in staying in touch with relatives and friends by using technology, encouraging engagement in hobbies and passions, and helping them participate in local community centers, clubs, senior centers or volunteer work.
The program will include a resource guide for family caregivers, called “Total Well-Being: Supporting Physical, Emotional and Social Wellness for Seniors.”