Supporting National Conversation Week

We are supporting National Conversation Week particularly because of the difference that we know social interaction makes to our customers; many of whom are older people. Our Care Assistants not only help with the physical aspects of care, but the emotional wellbeing of our customers as well and this is why conversation is so important.

National Conversation Week 2018 is all about the simple, pleasurable and rewarding pastime of simply talking to each other.

We’re very much a society that’s “always on” and, unfortunately, the art of human conversation is getting drowned in a sea of emojis, swiping right (ask your single friends), chat bots and dwindling attention spans.

Whether it’s keeping in touch with friends, updating a colleague at work or trying to find the best, most of us are guilty of hiding behind a screen to send a quick text, fire off an email, post a social media message or search on line rather than taking the time to actually speak with somebody.

That’s why National Conversation Week is encouraging everyone in the UK to spend the week trying a little bit harder to engage with those around them be they a friend, family member, colleague or customer.

We are supporting National Conversation Week particularly because of the difference that we know social interaction makes to our customers; many of whom are older people.

Our Care Assistants not only help with the physical aspects of care, but the emotional wellbeing of our customers as well and this is why conversation is so important.

Just a few statistics on loneliness include:

• 17% of older people are in contact with family, friends and neighbours less than once a week and 11% are in contact less than once a month (Victor et al, 2003)
• Over half (51%) of all people aged 75 and over live alone (ONS, 2010)
• Two fifths all older people (about 3.9 million) say the television is their main company (Age UK, 2014)
• 63% of adults aged 52 or over who have been widowed, and 51% of the same group who are separated or divorced report, feeling lonely some of the time or often (Beaumont, 2013)
• 59% of adults aged over 52 who report poor health say they feel lonely some of the time or often, compared to 21% who say they are in excellent health (Beaumont, 2013)
• A higher percentage of women than men report feeling lonely some of the time or often  (Beaumont, 2013)

Often our Care Assistants are greeted with a grin as they arrive and it is this that we know makes such a difference to the lives of our many customers.

Even just a chat can lift spirits and not only does this make a difference to our customers. It helps make the role of Care Assistant incredibly rewarding.

Watch out for our stories, tips and advice in the build up and if you are feeling lonely, Bluebird Care has a significant amount of advice on our website www.everyvisit.co.uk.

You can also contact The Silver Line, which is the only national confidential and free helpline for older people open every day and night of the year. Call Freephone on: 0800 4 70 80 90.