The Reality of Loneliness
As we go about our lives, it can be difficult to understand the struggles of those who feel alone. Social isolation is a widespread problem, especially amongst the elderly.
According to Age UK, the total number of over-50s who feel lonely in their day-to-day life is set to reach 2 million by 2025. In 2017 this figure was only 1.4 million, meaning loneliness amongst this group has almost doubled in 10 years.
These statistics are upsetting to read, but it doesn’t mean all hope is lost! Each of us can do our part to ensure the elders in our lives aren’t lonely, and this is especially important as the winter season approaches.
Five Ways to Keep Them Connected This Winter:
1) Give Your Time to Help Others
Many people across the UK are experiencing loneliness at the moment, especially those with no friends or family to speak to regularly. At a time like this, it’s especially important that even if they can’t talk to loved ones, they can still talk to someone.
It’s crucial that we all work together to solve this problem, so if you have some spare time, why not get involved with something like Check in and Chat? This is a free scheme, where volunteers will call an isolated older person just to have a chat. There are also similar services offered across the UK, with Age UK’s telephone friendship calls and The Silver Line’s elderly helpline providing help to lonely seniors as well.
The more people who volunteer for schemes like this, the more older people can be helped to escape the reality of loneliness. As they say, what goes around comes around, and if you help others’ lonely loved ones this winter then someone may just be there to help yours down the line too.
We’re all in this together, after all.
2. Discover New Ways to Keep in Touch
Being apart may be tough, but it’s a great chance to find some new ways to connect with loved ones!
If your elderly loved ones are more tech savvy, they can access free video calling software such as Zoom or Skype using their computer or laptop right away. They can even use their smartphone!
However, it’s especially hard to help some older people stay connected, even with this sort of technology out there. Some may not have the confidence to use new technology to stay in touch, whilst others may not even have a home internet connection at all. For many, a specially designed device made for the elderly, with simple video calling, straightforward setup, and remote support for family members to help out, can make a real difference.
There are lots of solutions to stay connected, even when you may feel far apart!
3. Get to Know Your Neighbours
More and more people around the world have been coming together in recent years to help each other out. Getting to know the neighbours is a great way to stay social in the local community, and have a good support network around older loved ones.
You can encourage your elderly relative to get in touch with their neighbours themselves if they aren’t already, or perhaps do it for them. This could be something simple, like inviting them for a cup of tea in the garden, or dropping off some shopping for one another.
4. Activities & Groups
One way that elders are staying connected and socially active today is by joining or attending local clubs, groups, or classes. Getting your older loved one involved in one of these groups is a great way to help them make friends with people their age, who may share similar hobbies and interests, or be going through the same struggles.
Groups like Men’s Sheds or The Women’s Institute provide fantastic local social groups and activities to get involved in.
Another idea is to go on a virtual museum tour with your loved ones! Google Arts and Culture is a great example of this, as they have mapped many of the world’s most famous museums, allowing them to enjoy visiting from the comfort of their own home. You could have a phone call whilst doing this, and virtually explore a museum together.
5. Spend Time With Them Safely
It’s always worth checking in on any local guidance around visiting older or vulnerable relatives, particularly during winter months when illness spreads more easily. With the right precautions in place, meeting up with an older loved one for coffee or a meal at their favourite restaurant is a lovely way to stay connected.
Local parks or walking trails can also be a great way to meet up in real life with your loved one, giving you a chance to get outdoors, whilst staying out of busier areas in your town or city.
If meeting in person isn’t an option, a coffee together over video chat, or watching a favourite TV show whilst you talk on the phone, is a great alternative.
There are lots of ways to spend time safely with your older loved ones, so think outside the box!
To Conclude…
Beating elderly loneliness is a huge challenge. However, you’re not alone in facing this problem, and there is support out there to help.
Nobody should be alone in beating loneliness, and that’s why we believe the solution boils down to one simple thing:
Keeping them connected.
You can keep your elders connected in all sorts of ways, from a simple letter, to a video call with them each week (or even every day!). We hope the ideas in this list have given you some new ways to keep them connected this winter, but the most important thing is to do what is best for you and your loved ones.
Are you worried your loved one may feel lonely this winter?
Get in touch with our friendly team, who can help you find the perfect device to keep them connected this winter.