Elderly and Disabled Individuals Find Comfort in Connections Formed With Home Health Care Services

A recent medical study suggested that elderly or disabled patients were ten times more likely to suffer from depression as people who were able to get out and about.

(prHWY.com) March 28, 2012 - Seattle, WA -- A recent medical study suggested that elderly or disabled patients were ten times more likely to suffer from depression as people who were able to get out and about. Medical experts believed that this shocking medical study result was caused by the fact that the elderly and disabled are unable to get out and communicate with other people who are in a situation that is similar to what they are going through. A local home health care service is looking to change that.

Caring Connections based out of Las Vegas is working to provide home health care services to the elderly and disabled, while giving them the opportunity to connect with other people who are just like them. The people don't have to leave their home, and rely upon the use of Skype messaging to communicate.

"After working in the home health care industry for over 20 years, I realized people were just extremely lonely", said founder of Caring Connections Brandy Runnels. "I developed Caring Connections as a way for people to get the health care they need, but also as a way to form personal connections with other people."

Each visit Caring Connections hooks people up with other people who share similar likes and interests. The home health aide will set up a laptop that has a webcam, and anywhere from two to five individuals will meet and discuss the weeks event. Everything from recipes, politics and celebrity gossip is exchanged during these chat sessions.

"It's really heartwarming to see these people's faces light up when they hear their connection's voice", said Runnels. "It makes me really love what I am doing, and so thankful that I came up with such an amazing concept."

Chat sessions will last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, and are held weekly or bi-weekly. Caring Connections works to connect likeminded people together by asking patients to fill out a survey that asks them what their likes, dislikes, and topics of interest might be. Matches are discovered by using the answers the patients provide.

"Mom was extremely lonely. I couldn't be home all the time to entertain her and she had no one", said Caring Connections user Tammy Fillings. "I signed Mom up for Caring Connections to help her manage her diabetes, but I noticed her depression and mopey attitude disappeared. I am thankful it is helping her."

Currently over 100 individuals use Caring Connections as a part of their home health care. Brandy Runnels is working to expand Caring Connections to other areas of Nevada, which will help open up the number of connections and people are available.

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