How Homecare Services Can Help to Combat Loneliness

At CRG Homecare we provide support for many vulnerable people who feel alone and cut off from society. A wide range of factors can cause loneliness – from mobility issues and mental health problems to old age and poor physical health. The problems that can cause loneliness often increase a lonely person's feelings of anxiety and isolation, meaning that they may find it harder to leave their property and socialise with others.

Why Is Loneliness So Common in the UK?

Age UK has reported that 49% of people in the UK live alone, and that many older people find it difficult to complete basic tasks that involve them leaving their homes. For example, 23% of older people struggle to get to the nearest hospital, 12% have difficulties getting to their local GP, and 13% find it hard to go to their local corner shop.

There are many different reasons why vulnerable people feel isolated and unable to leave the home to complete important tasks:

● Relatives and friends often live further afield

● Suffering from a serious health issue can be emotionally draining for many people so even when individuals have fully recovered, they can often feel introverted and anxious about meeting others

● Vulnerable people can experience mobility issues, so they find it difficult to go out into the community and maintain existing relationships as well as make new friends

● People are living for longer thanks to advances in medicine and healthcare, which means that some people end up outliving those closest to them by a long time

● People suffering from mental health issues, such as anxiety, can find social situations difficult

What Can Happen if Somebody Is Lonely?

Unfortunately, feeling alone and cut off from the local community can be dangerous for vulnerable individuals for many reasons:

● Feeling alone can increase the chance of early death by 26% (Holt-Lunstad, 2015)

● The chances of having high blood pressure can increase if an individual is lonely (Hawkley et al, 2010)

● Feeling isolated increases this risk of developing dementia by 64% (Holwerda et al, 2012)

● Lonely people are more likely to be depressed (Cacioppo et al, 2006)

● Isolation and loneliness can lead to suicide amongst older people (O’Connell et al, 2004)

Can Homecare Help?

Homecare can be a vital lifeline for lonely people. Care workers can assist with practical tasks that will improve general health and wellbeing, such as performing basic household tasks, keeping an eye on health problems, and helping to improve personal hygiene and living environments.

In addition to this, homecare services can help to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation in the following ways:

● Helping clients to keep in touch with friends and family

● Encouraging independence and confidence

● Maintaining communication and a good relationship with clients by encouraging conversation

● Accompanying clients to community events or schemes that may help them to feel less lonely

● Helping them to perform basic tasks that require leaving the home, such as going to the GP, hospital appointments, etc.

Protecting Vulnerable People

Sadly many people in the UK feel alone, but there are small things that all of us can do to help people who are feeling lonely. Phoning or visiting older relatives and neighbours can help them to feel more connected to the world. In addition to this, many local charities and councils run voluntary initiatives that aim to help lonely people, by setting up home visits and phone calls to isolated individuals. By taking steps like this, we can help to provide a better quality of life for vulnerable people across the UK.