Severe loneliness can be a heart-breaking ordeal for anyone, often forming a cage that can ensnare even the healthiest of minds.
Sadly, the concept of isolation and loneliness is an all-too-common occurrence in contemporary society, despite the many ways in which connectivity is frequently promoted on the digital stage.
Although incredibly useful for many, the virtual world cannot always provide clarity in its promised solutions, especially for seniors who may feel like they have trouble navigating its intricacies. It is important to note that there are indeed platforms that are easier to use than others, making them viable options in the effort to remain connected.
There are, however, many ways in which you can start to help combat feelings of loneliness in yourself and in others. Wanting to care for your elderly relatives, friends, loved ones, and strangers is a perfectly natural feeling, particularly in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
As Britain moves ever closer to a future free from lockdown restrictions, many people are feeling apprehensive about what their new normal will have in store for them.
If you felt as though you want to do more to help combat the detrimental effects of loneliness in vulnerable older people, here are some of the best methods you may wish to consider employing.
Make Yourself Accessible
Feeling as though you have no one to turn to can be a dreadful position to be in. This can serve to exacerbate the problem of loneliness and isolation immensely.
In this regard, it is important to make yourself readily accessible to your elderly loved ones so that they know they have someone who can listen to their thoughts in their time of need.
Making yourself reachable via any platform you can utilize is a fantastic way to nurture a reliable support network. Even if it is something as simple as writing a letter or sending a text, a gesture that may appear to be small can have a huge impact on anyone who is suffering from feelings of loneliness.
This can be true of elderly people who feel like they are becoming invisible to others, a terrible situation to be in that can be rectified by offering even a few minutes of your time.
While regular phone calls or visits can be incredibly valuable, there may be times when you can’t always be physically present to provide daily support.
In such cases, it’s essential to consider other ways to ensure they receive the care they need. For instance, seeking the help of professional home care services like CarePoint Home Care could be a great option. By doing so, you can help ensure they receive the companionship and care they need while maintaining their independence.
Commit to Making Regular Visits or Phone Calls
As life goes on, friends and family will often head in their own directions, taking their home further afield as they explore their goals, careers, and an endless wealth of possibilities.
Without a certain amount of nurture, this concept can make falling out of touch with one another a very real possibility.
Nobody can truly know what their future holds, but they can take measures to ensure that their loved ones are part of that future in some capacity.
By committing to making regular visits, phone calls, or video calls, you can help to strengthen this connection between you and your loved ones, making sure to keep them in the picture. Feeling as though the world has left you behind can be a terrible position to be in and one that can evoke loneliness and disillusionment.
This can establish a routine essential, as some semblance of order can help add a structure to someone’s calendar, giving them something to look forward to and an avenue of insight into the wider world, hopefully allowing them to feel like they are once again valued.
Consider a Career in Residential Care
For those of you who want to start making a positive difference to society in general or are hoping to find a more meaningful career in light of a post-pandemic world, you may wish to consider a career in residential care for the elderly.
There are many roles available for a diverse range of talented, passionate, and empathic individuals, from care providers to administrative work and practically everything in between.
You might find it beneficial to look into getting your RCFE certification, which can help you on the crucial first step.
Residential care facilities are home to millions of stories, memories, personalities, and people who need support and love in order to make society an enjoyable place for everyone.
You may discover that you can personally help to tackle the growing concerns about loneliness and animosity towards the elderly population while simultaneously developing both your personal and professional skills in an invigorating, rewarding new field.
Ways to Offer Your Support
If you happen to know of any elderly relatives in need of everyday support, it might be worth checking in on them to find out ways in which you can help.
If you feel safe enough to do so, you may wish to help them with their online shopping, collect their deliveries or parcels, or simply offer them a friendly face to have a chat with. For those experiencing hearing difficulties, recommending the best hearing aids over the counter can be another practical way to support their wellbeing and ensure they stay connected.
Helping to create a sense of community and togetherness can be invaluable in alleviating feelings of loneliness. You can perhaps start to develop this by baking them something, even if your creation is unworthy of the bake-off; usually, the thought is what counts.
Starting a virtual book club or even a weekly book swap can help to let people know they have friends they can rely on, hobbies they can pick up, and social activities to participate in, even if it happens to be from a distance.
Sometimes, just opening up a dialogue between you can make a world of difference. It can even start with a small sentiment, such as asking them how it’s going.
Volunteering
Volunteering can pertain to a wide range of areas and does not necessarily mean you have to risk your own physical health if you were feeling weary about the coronavirus restrictions.
There are many helplines and opportunities that require the aid of volunteers, which you could even do in the comfort of your own home in your spare time.
This can be a brilliant way of engaging directly with those who need their voices to be heard, as being there for someone who needs to share their feelings, even though the receiver of a telephone can combat feelings of loneliness.
It can be important to note that this can work as a two-way operation; if you happen to be feeling like you need a chat with someone to shoo away your loneliness, this could be hugely beneficial for everyone involved.
There are times when sharing your thoughts with your friends and loved ones might feel embarrassing, trivial, or unimportant, but in terms of your mental wellbeing, no issue or feeling is insignificant if it affects the way you are thinking. This can be a vital point to remember in the effort to beat loneliness.
Building Connections Through Companionship
Loneliness can often feel overwhelming, but meaningful connections can make a world of difference. For many, companionship doesn’t just come from people-it can also come from the bonds we share with animals. Pets are wonderful companions that provide emotional support, encourage physical activity, and create a sense of routine, which can be particularly helpful for those struggling with isolation.
Dogs, in particular, are known for their loyalty and ability to bring joy into a household. They offer unconditional love and can help ease feelings of loneliness by becoming a constant source of companionship and comfort. If you or someone you know is considering the idea of adopting a puppy, websites like cherisheddreamcanine.com provide an opportunity to welcome a new furry friend into your life. A puppy not only brings happiness but also helps foster a sense of purpose and connection-essential in combating the challenges of loneliness.
Promote Digital Connectivity
For many, interacting with modern technology and making full use of the digital platforms available is second nature and an intrinsic part of everyday life. However, getting to grips with computers is an uphill struggle and an unfamiliar concept, to say the least.
It seems a shame that people should be denied access to the fundamental need for human interaction solely based on their lack of technological understanding.
This is why promoting the best and easiest to use communication platforms is a crucial endeavor at times.
The personability and poetry one can find in the prose of a handwritten letter are still as majestic as ever before, if not more so, but sometimes a video call is the next best medium to an in-person meeting.
Taking the time to teach your elderly loved ones how to operate this technology can be a pursuit in and of itself that helps to combat loneliness.
It can be vital to remember, practicing patience is key when it comes to helping someone who is struggling, as this can help make people feel cared for, one of the most prevalent factors in the fight against loneliness.