Top tips to tackle elderly loneliness

Older people are the most susceptible to loneliness. We all need social connections to flourish. Elderly loneliness is found to be associated with depressed mood, poor memory, worse functional ability and longer hospital stays. According to Age UK, more than 2 million people in England over the age of 75 live alone, and more than a million older people say they go over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour, or family member. If we don’t tackle loneliness, by 2034, there will be 1.2 million people over 65 in England who will often feel lonely with far-reaching consequences.

Elderly loneliness is a negative feeling people experience when their relationships do not match those they would like to have. When this feeling persists, it can negatively impact well-being and quality of life. Fortunately, it’s not a fixed state, and there are many ways to overcome it. Below, we’ll explore ways to reduce loneliness in the elderly.

Stay connected with others. Having people you can turn to is always good for our emotional state as we can express our emotions to others while receiving support. If you find it difficult to stay connected with others, direct services can help you maintain existing relationships and build new ones.

Senior volunteer opportunities

Engaging in senior volunteering opportunities can feel meaningful, providing you opt for activities you are interested in or passionate about. It can help boost your self-esteem as you are taking part in a purposeful activity. It also helps to bring other older people together to work on shared activities, where you can have opportunities to socialise and build a network of friends. Check with your local council, charities or area for volunteer opportunities.

Companionship Through Pets

Pets have proven to provide significant emotional and psychological benefits for people. Although not humans, they can still provide people with emotional support and companionship. Pets don’t judge and can provide a sense of security and warmth in times of need. In addition, caring for a pet encourages you to be outdoors, where you can meet others on your dog walks. Studies show that people are more likely to befriend others outdoors in the presence of a pet.

Build support networks

It's important to build support networks – people who you can lean on for assistance, guidance and emotional support through day-to-day life. This can include building connections with family, friends, neighbours or healthcare professionals. Strong relationships foster a sense of inclusion, reduce loneliness and depression in the elderly. Ensure you consistently nurture existing relationships and seek new connections to build a solid support network around you. Different individuals and groups can offer varying emotional, practical and mental support, so it is important to build a network rather than just rely on one person for everything. For example, family can provide unconditional love and advice, while friends can offer companionship and empathy. If you have limited mobility, you may want to consider joining a ‘befriending’ service – weekly phone calls where you can befriend older people. Organisations such as Age UK and Re-engage offer these services to help reduce loneliness in the elderly.

Professional assistance

Psychological support is available to help older people with loneliness. Techniques such as talking therapy for seniors, bereavement counselling, and CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) can help identify and change negative thought patterns that contribute to loneliness. It can also encourage people to see the world from a better perspective, cope with emotional problems, and build new skills. Telephone-based psychological care is available if people prefer not to travel or would not like to do face-to-face sessions.

Embrace Hobbies

Talk with others who are interested in the same things as you. You could join groups or clubs that interest you, such as a weekly art class, which will help you connect with like-minded peers. Psychology shows that being part of group activities or classes helps us feel more supported and engaged. It also provides you with regular social interaction and a sense of purpose.

Family Bonding

Seek out connections and maintain open communication with family. Maintaining family bonds helps build a strong support network around you and can provide comfort, understanding, and companionship during moments of distress. Knowing that you have family bonds that you can speak to and are there to support you can alleviate feelings of loneliness. Make efforts to do in-person visits if you can, as well as maintain bonds digitally.

Elderly technology for togetherness

We know it may not be possible to stay close to loved ones in person regularly. By embracing digital tools such as video calls or phone calls, you can stay connected with loved ones and maintain meaningful connections whenever. Social networks such as Facebook offer a space where people can share updates and engage in conversations with loved ones no matter the distance. While video calls mean that the elderly can maintain close relationships even when not physically close. They offer a sense of presence – seeing a loved one's smile or laugh can help reduce feelings of loneliness in the elderly.

Join senior clubs for seniors

Sign up for clubs where you can connect with peers with shared interests. You can do this through many avenues, such as local centres, classes, or clubs. These activities offer opportunities to meet new people and enjoy companionship. According to Pubmed Central, participants involved in clubs showed significantly better physical and mental health compared to people who were not involved in clubs.

Stay active

Staying active or exercising has significant benefits for your health. Movement increases serotonin levels and provides a sense of calmness and relaxation. And the effects are even more positive when you stay active in a group setting. Cultivate time out during your sessions to socialise where possible. Exercising in a group energises and encourages conversation and shared motivation by pushing others during their workout session. People tend to continue to attend, fulfilling behaviours in the longer term, thus promoting mental health for the elderly.

Barchester's Approach

It may be that you’ve tried all these approaches and would prefer to be in an environment where you can benefit from constant or consistent company. We’ve helped thousands of the elderly combat loneliness in our care homes. Here, you can expect consistent companionship, amongst other benefits such as personalised care and daily activities to help the elderly lead meaningful lives for as long as possible.

Interested in how we help with loneliness in the elderly? Visit our website to find out more or speak with one of our friendly team members today – we're always happy to help.