26th June 2022
Most of us will feel lonely at some point in our lives. For a lot of us, particularly those in later life, loneliness can define our lives and have a significant impact on our wellbeing. According to Age UK, more than 2 million people in England over the age of 75 live alone and go over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member. We share our tips on how to support a loved one who may be experiencing feelings of isolation and loneliness in respect of Loneliness Awareness Week.
Signs a loved one may be feeling lonely
Loneliness is a natural human emotion, yet it can be very difficult for anyone to admit they’re feeling lonely and it can be even harder to ask for help. You may even suspect someone is struggling before they are aware of it themselves. Life changes such as retirement, bereavement, or ill health may put them more at risk of loneliness. Here are some signs that could indicate a person is feeling lonely:
How to support a loved one who is experiencing loneliness
Some people may be aware that they're lonely, but just not know what they can do about it. If you suspect someone you know may be experiencing this, you can help by:
Simply being there for them can let them know that someone cares. Don't be afraid to ask them how they are feeling or if there's anything you can do to help. Call, visit or email them regularly to keep in touch as having someone who is willing to listen could be a great comfort. Loneliness can be tied up with other problems like depression or grief, which may cause people to withdraw and avoid company so don’t give up on them if they don’t visit you or call in return, patience is key here.
Plan a fun activity to get your loved one out of the house. This can be anything from going on a walk, popping into your local café, a trip to the garden centre, grabbing some lunch or watching their favourite movie.
Eating alone every night can become very lonely and isolating so why not take round a dish of your favourite home-cooked food to share. Not only are you saving them from cooking but it’s a nice way to catch up with your loved one or neighbour.
Human beings are hard-wired to crave human connection so experiencing loneliness is normal. Let your loved one know that what they are feeling is more common than they think and reassure them that it’s possible to feel better. Support them to make new social connections or access services designed to tackle loneliness.
How TerraBlu care can help support
Making the decision to seek support for a loved one isn’t always an easy decision and takes time to process. However, it’s vital that if you have been caring for a family member that you are taking time out for yourself to recharge. Our fabulous TerraBlu team are here to support you and your loved one as much, or as little, as you need. Our qualified carers are used to providing companionship for clients by popping into their home for a chat, accompanying them when shopping, taking them to medical appointments or simply visiting a local place of interest. Social activities are organised too, to help grow our client’s social networks.
If you feel that you can’t visit your loved one as often as you would like or are concerned with their feelings of loneliness and isolation, our fabulous TerraBlu team can help bridge the gap. We are also happy to provide advice, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.