Recent studies have indicated that a considerable number of elderly people experience loneliness in the UK today. Could this be the case with your loved one?
With families moving ever further apart from each other, working parents having to work ever longer hours and with the sheer frantic pace of family life it’s often not possible to take on the role of caring for an elderly parent. So it’s no wonder that so many elderly people are reporting increasing feelings of loneliness. How can you tell if this applies to your loved ones?
1 They seem depressed
Loneliness can be one of the symptoms of depression and this could be partly attributed to low self-esteem. Many people who work in home care services have reported that this is commonly seen in elderly people who have lost their feelings of self-worth or who feel unsure of their place in society or within the family. Depression can accompany illness particularly where there are frequent hospital visits or there is illness or infirmity which results in constant pain. It may result in them withdrawing into themselves and refusing to interact with friends and family.
2 They have lost their confidence
Elderly people who struggle with loss of mobility or eyesight, or who are becoming more confused, can lose confidence in themselves and in their ability to do things they used to be easily able to do whether that be driving, going out, gardening or simply looking after themselves. They may worry that they are ‘losing their marbles’ – a common refrain among elderly folks who are concerned about the deterioration in cognitive function. This can stop them from socialising.
3 They are spending more time by themselves
This can often follow on from the loss of confidence. Those who feel unsure about going out by themselves can soon find that they lose touch with friends or family members without meaning to. If their conversation centres around what they have seen on TV rather than conversations with real people then this is a sure sign that isolation is the issue. Another thing for families to worry about is if their loved one starts to talk about ‘workmen’ who have offered to do unnecessary repairs to the house, or they may mention all the letters asking for money that have suddenly started arriving. If this is the case then it could be that your loved one is falling prey to ‘scammers’ because this may be the only outside contact they have.
4 changes in behaviour
Your elderly relative may talk more than usual when you visit them. They may start to find little jobs and tasks for you to do for them ‘before you go’. This is a sure sign that they are feeling lonely and don’t want to be by themselves. Conversely they may shut down and refuse to talk at all, or they start to talk about imaginary illnesses or problems as a way of keeping your company a while longer.
Research by the Live-in Care Hub has shown time and time again that elderly people do much better and loneliness is banished when cared for in their own homes with live-in carer or domiciliary care.
