What can be done about elderly loneliness?
There are a staggering number of people in the UK aged over 65, who live alone – 5 million to put a figure on it (source: BBC Tonight Programme)
This proportion of the population is set to grow rapidly over the next 5-10 years, as the post-war, ‘baby-boomer’ generation reaches retirement
This bulge in the UK demographics means that the number of people over 80 will triple in the next 10 years.
What is even more staggering is the number of people who fail to see another person from one week to the next. This is estimated to be more than 2 million, with over 370,000 people left in isolation on Christmas Day last year
It is well proven that the mental awareness of people gets severely affected through lack of interaction with other people and it is no coincidence that solitary confinement was historically used as a powerful punishment
With this in mind, we all have a responsibility to find ways for the oldest members of society to be conversed with, allowing basic conversation to maintain their self-respect and alertness
Joan Bakewell says “We need interaction with others to feel fully alive …a single friendly voice is surely not too much to ask.”
The Campaign to end loneliness was launched at the beginning of 2012: www. campaigntoendloneliness.org.uk
Opportunities to talk can make all of difference for someone who has got a life full of experiences and sharing these times, past and present, is a wonderful thing for them
Even if people have mobility issues, or are fearful of going outside their own homes, some simple interaction with other people is what is required to avoid their mental decline and there is an easy way of making this happen
Befriending services over the telephone and now Skype can make this essential communication easy to deliver and powerful in its impact
Speaking to and seeing another person can be set up and, with the advent of Skype enabled televisions, the ability to make this ‘technology’ work is nothing more than being able to change channels with the TV flicker
Conversations can be scheduled for times to suit routines and there is no risk of inviting strangers physically into the house
Seeing and speaking to professionally trained companions will not reduce the responsibility of families and friends, but it will definitely complement it
With family members increasingly living further away from their ageing parents, physical distance has become a frequent issue
Also, with the younger generation having increasingly complex personal lives of their own (due to divorce, separations, etc.) as well as more and more pressured work-loads, the time to talk is further compromised
Both issues can be addressed using a companionship service using professionally trained people, regularly calling the oldest family member just to have a chat
Reassurance is provided for all concerned and should any health or welfare concerns arise, then this scheduled activity also created an effective route by which to raise an alert to the family
The elderly are independent by nature and want to avoid being reliant on family and friends. How often do we hear that “they don’t want to be a bother”? Because of this, it is likely to be the ‘younger’ generation who take the initiative and encourage their parents, or grand-parents, to be introduced to a befriending or companionship service
It is therefore important that people stop and think about their parents living alone and take action to help them.
By improving the social needs of the elderly, more individuals can remain successfully in their own homes for longer
And, given that more than 50% of the running costs of the NHS are spent in addressing the needs of over 65 yr olds, there is also a strong economic argument to bring about change too
Everyone benefits through befriending and companionship, and loneliness can be overcome
We offer a great at home computer training service. For details, call now on 03333 441584
Lessons costs £40 per hour.
Or complete the form below and we will contact you. Please use this enquiry form only for computer lessons. If you wish to contact us about any other matter, please email [email protected]
Keeping In Touch Network, a social enterprise, provide a companionship service and further details can be found on their website: www.keepingintouchnetwork.co.uk To contact them call 0845 269 2489 or Skype them on keepingintouchone
If you want to discuss the issue of loneliness in the elderly, or share your concerns, visit our forum, or like us on Facebook
