Elderly loneliness during winter and beyond
The Festive Fantasy
During the festive period, television and movies showcase happy families jumping on planes, on trains and into cars to spend a happy Christmas together. You can picture it now…
In a blur of red, green, fir and lights, tables are laden with food, there’s laughter and affection, presents under the tree, and kindly grandparents looking on while basking in their family’s love.
Beautiful, bronzed turkeys, the sound of carols in the air, children racing about and an atmosphere of pure joy. You can feel the warmth. Well, that’s the fantasy anyway.
The Harsh Reality
Sadly, for many the above description is not an accurate reflection of this time of year, or any time of year. Many people do not have families with whom they want to celebrate, or they want to celebrate together but it’s just not possible.
Relations located far away in the UK or further afield, death, divorce and falling out – or never having had a family – can mean that some older people are alone every day; even on days when, traditionally, families come together.
The Bleak Midwinter
What’s more, winter can be a particularly hard time for loneliness in older people as dark nights, short days and cold, often wet weather mean it is much harder to enjoy safely spending time outside. Months of staying inside has a negative effect on health; both general and mental.
Chance encounters at the local shop or in their road are less likely in the winter months adding to loneliness and social isolation. But it is these small chats in everyday life that make such a vast difference to older people’s sense of connection and go a long way to preventing social isolation in the elderly.
Age UK has found that some older people have become less confident doing daily activities they used to enjoy, and some are no longer even able to take any pleasure in activities they once took in their stride. Read more on The Importance of Social Interaction For Elderly People in our blog.
The Power Of Human Connection
Despite our lives living increasingly online, the power of friendship and human connection remains essential when preventing social isolation in the elderly. To play your part in minimising elderly loneliness:
- CHECK-IN: Keep in touch with friends, relatives and neighbours and find out if there’s anything they need. You could offer to take the person out for a walk or drive to see local community Christmas festivities. If you can’t get there in person, call or video call. You can also send them homemade cards, letters and even small gifts – just small things to show you care
- HELP OUT: Can you offer your neighbours help with their shopping or errands? A great way to help the elderly at Christmas is to offer to write cards for older neighbours. This is a great way to get cosy and have a chat and a coffee too. Check out our blog on How to help the elderly at Christmas for great tips and ideas.
Official Support For Preventing Social Isolation In The Elderly
For people over the age of 65, or those who are infirm or unwell, preventing social isolations is extremely important at any time of year. If you know someone who may be lonely, or are lonely yourself, here are some useful number and suggestions:
The Silver Line Helpline 0800 4 70 80 90
The Silver Line Helpline is a free, confidential telephone service just for older people. They provide friendship, conversation and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call the number and you can get information, friendship and advice – or just a nice chat. Find out more here.
Call Age UK 0800 169 6565
Age UK runs a free telephone friendship service from 8am-7pm so you can enjoy chatting with someone over the phone, all from the comfort of your own home. Whether you’d like to speak to someone every week, or just want to talk when the need strikes, they are here to help. You can find out more here.
Friendship groups
Friendship groups at local social clubs or community centres are a great way to build new relationships and your social confidence. You can contact your local Age UK group here.
Social activities
If you have a hobby or leisure activity you used to love, here at Great Park Homecare can match carers and times to suit you, to re-ignite the joy you have, to engage once more with your favourite pastimes. Keeping minds active is just as important as physical activity to live well.
Let’s come together and help each other
Let’s all do our bit to prevent social isolation in the elderly and try and reach out and make people we know feel more loved and wanted. If you have an older friend, relative or elderly neighbour, they may be feeling acute feelings of loneliness. Why not call now and make someone’s day?
Great Park Homecare’s Solutions
Here at Great Park Homecare, we offer many services to prevent social isolation in the elderly including:
- Personal Care
- Household & Domestic
- Companionship
- Live in
- Respite Care
- Overnight Care
- Dementia Care
- Palliative Care
- Personal Assistant Service
- Free Home Care Advisory Service
Rapid Response Service
Our Rapid Response Service has seen our Care Management Team, subject to a full and proper Care Assessment, deliver practical care to a client within 48 hours of an enquiry that was received on New Year’s Eve! We are open for enquiries during throughout the year, 365 days in fact.
Can we help you this Christmas?
If your loved one could do with some TLC, emotional or physical support over the Christmas period, our highly trained team are available to offer festive cheer and a listening ear. Do just take our word for it, here are just a few of our client testimonials…
My husband really enjoys the visits from the first class carers. They have always been so caring and reliable, and we both can’t thank them enough. I always tell people that [they] are the best.”- Mrs D, Client’s wife, Bracknell
They provided a level of care beyond my expectation and where nothing was too much trouble. They have provided an outstanding level of care which has enabled mum to remain at home for as long as possible and maintain her dignity and quality of life.” – Mr S, Client’s son, Windsor
Do we serve your area?
Areas we serve are Windsor, Old Windsor, Ascot and surrounding areas including Bray, Datchet, Dorney, Englefield Green, Eton, Eton Wick, Great Park, Winkfield and Windsor.
Our standards are as high as our care levels
We hold ourselves to high standards and pride ourselves on the way we engage with clients, families and the wider community. As such, we’re members of the UK Homecare Association and Federation of Small Businesses so we can effectively keep updated with and adhere to governance and regulation.
We’re practical & proactive
Each client’s care needs are reviewed using real-time monitoring technology as well as regular face- to-face Review Meetings. We call every client regularly to check they feel safe and are happy with their care… and they always are!
Would you like to find out more?
For more information on our home care in Windsor and beyond, and our prices, please get in touch via our online form and we’ll get back to you within 24hrs. If you’d prefer to talk to someone in person now, then please call us on +44 (0) 1753 369088. We are open to enquiries 365 days a year.
