Supporting loneliness in later life in Wandsworth, Putney & Battersea

Loneliness in later life

Loneliness in the UK has been described as an epidemic. In fact, it has become such a widespread social issue that the government recently announced the appointment of a Minister for Loneliness. It is estimated that in the UK there are currently over 1 million people over the age of 65 who are chronically lonely, and over half of people aged 75 and over live alone without regular social contact.

Worryingly, the idea of loneliness in old age is so pervasive that it is something many people have come to expect. Research shows that there is a direct correlation between people who anticipate loneliness in old age and their actual experience, with people who expected to be lonely in later life being three times more likely to experience these feelings.

For families looking for loneliness support for older people in Wandsworth, Putney & Battersea, understanding the causes of loneliness is an important first step. To better understand and engage with someone who may be experiencing social isolation, it is important to understand what loneliness is, why it occurs and how best to facilitate a conversation around it.

So, what is loneliness?

As multi-faceted human beings, we all experience loneliness in our own way, but in general terms it is described as a negative experience where a person feels that they do not belong and are disconnected from others. This occurs when the social interaction we want does not match the social interaction we actually have. As the quantity and quality of our social relationships are pivotal to our sense of self and impact both physical and mental health, finding a solution to loneliness is vital for wellbeing.

How can we all help overcome loneliness in the elderly?

Although most of us will experience a degree of loneliness at some point, for many of us it will be temporary. Unfortunately, for a great number of older people, isolation defines and devastates their lives. So, what can we all do when helping older people with loneliness?

There is no single best way of having a conversation about loneliness, but using empathy and openness is a great place to start. This can help a person understand their own circumstances and explore ways to improve them. 

It is useful to take a person-centred approach, considering external factors and the person’s subjective experience.

Some key questions to ask when helping someone overcome their loneliness might be:

• Does the person have supportive relationships with family and friends?

• Are there social groups to which the person already belongs, or could belong?

• Are there practical factors that prevent social connection, such as lack of transport or disability, and if so, are there solutions to this problem?

• Is loneliness the result of a life-changing event such as bereavement, ill health or giving up driving?

• Would engaging with technology provide them with a positive way to connect with others, or might this intimidate them and compound their loneliness?

• Ask the person, “If you could do anything, what would you do?” and work from there.

Being supportive and listening to the person’s feelings are key to helping them cope with loneliness, but it is important to be patient too. Interacting with others may be a slower process for people who need to confront painful feelings or are daunted by change.

What are we doing to tackle loneliness at Bluebird Care Wandsworth, Putney & Battersea?

At Bluebird Care, we do not accept that loneliness in old age is inevitable. That is why we created our national Every Visit Counts campaign. Here in Wandsworth, Putney & Battersea, we work in close partnership with a number of key organisations in the borough, including Wandsworth, Putney & Battersea carers’ Centre and the Alzheimer’s Society.

We are proud to work with some incredible services in the local area that are helping to keep older people involved in their community. These include Wandsworth, Putney & Battersea Community Transport, which hosts an annual programme of day trips; Regenerate Rise and St Michael’s, which host an array of services across the borough including day centres, lunch clubs and trips; Alzheimer’s Society dementia cafés and support groups, a great initiative that puts people in touch with elderly or isolated neighbours who would appreciate a home-cooked meal and a chat.

In addition, we also offer our own social events calendar to our customers and their families. Just last year, we hosted our first ever Afternoon Tea and Bingo event attended by the Mayor of Wandsworth, Putney & Battersea, and our customers also enjoyed a hugely successful trip to Brighton.

Customers who are less able to leave the house are certainly not forgotten at Bluebird Care Wandsworth, Putney & Battersea. Our care plans are all bespoke, which means our care assistants can help individuals get involved in a range of social activities that suit them, either at home or in the local area, whether that is playing games at home, enjoying nature in the local park or visiting the café down the street.

Meaningful companionship is often found in the simple moments, sharing a game, a walk in the park, or a friendly chat over coffee.

This kind of personalised support can make a real difference for families seeking elderly companionship in Wandsworth, Putney & Battersea. Our dedicated team works closely with local community organisations and understands what groups, services, and activities are available in the area. We also ensure our customer-facing team has the information they need to help customers access opportunities that may interest or benefit them.