Unfortunately, a shockingly high percentage of elderly adults often feel lonely, especially if they are widowed or living by themselves, and this is heartbreaking for their families. Not only is it horrible to think that someone you care so deeply about is feeling this way, but there is evidence that feeling lonely is also linked to the risk of an earlier death, depression, dementia and poor self-rated health too. So, preventing loneliness in the elderly is really important.
When you have an elderly family member who lives by themselves and you’re too busy or not local enough to pop in and see them frequently, you may be wanting to make a conscious effort to make them feel less lonely. Thankfully, there are lots of things you can do in this regard that can help to improve your loved one’s quality of life. Below we have looked into some of the different ways you can proactively try to prevent loneliness in the elderly.
Help to get your loved one ‘online’
Lots of elderly people struggle when using technology, but it goes without saying that this is the best way for you to stay in contact with them whenever you can’t be there in person. So, it is beneficial to take some time to teach your loved one how to use a phone, tablet or computer and to get them ‘online’, so to speak.
This might not be an easy task, but if you can simply teach your elderly family member to answer a phone call or accept a video chat then you can speak to them on a regular basis. If possible, it can be beneficial to set your loved one up on social media websites too, this will enable them to see what their family is up to and even reconnect with old friends as well.
Fill your family member’s diary
Just because you’re unable to visit your elderly family member on a regular basis, doesn’t mean that others who are more local can’t pop in for a quick chat or a cup of tea. Try to encourage people to reach out to your loved one and make an effort to see them. You might also want to encourage your elderly family member to reach out to others too and invite them round.
Of course, there are lots of things in the local community that your loved one can do to keep busy as well and it is surprisingly easy to fill their diary. From walking groups and book clubs to charities and organisations that hold social events, there’s something for everyone. Often, planning ahead can really help with loneliness too and having things in the diary gives the elderly something to look forward to, so your loved one should try to do this. The Age UK’s website that has a section dedicated to activities and events which would be great for them to try.
Look into companionship care
Many don’t realise that something called ‘companionship care’ exists. When thinking of home care people picture things like personal care or dementia care, but these days, home care agencies offer so much more than this. Arranging companionship care visits is one of the best things you can do, especially if your loved one doesn’t live close to any of their family members.
Think of a companionship carer as another friend, they can pop in to see your loved one as frequently as you’d like them to and just do general day-to-day things. From going to the shops and running errands to having a chat and enjoying hobbies, a professional carer can help and support your elderly family member in so many different ways.
Finding home care agencies near you
Hopefully, if you’re worried about an elderly loved one and you’re wondering how you can prevent them from feeling lonely, the information above will be beneficial to you. Thankfully, even if you’re unable to pop in and see your family member every day, there are still lots of ways you can help them to feel loved, supported and ultimately, not alone. Take some time to think about the different ideas and tips mentioned above, and consider how you can incorporate them into both your life and your loved ones. At Beloved Homecare, we have worked hard to keep families connected through the pandemic by organising FaceTime and Zoom calls for family members to see and chat with their loved one.
If you live in the Trafford area and you’re looking for a home care agency near you that offers companionship care services, please feel free to contact us here at Beloved Homecare. The services that we provide are designed to offer your loved one a friendly face and someone to talk to. We always work closely with our clients and their elderly family members to deliver a home care service that is able to meet all of their individual needs, so you can trust that we are the best home care agency to turn to.