Avoiding loneliness during the coronavirus pandemic
Updated September 2020
Loneliness amongst older people was a growing crisis before the arrival of COVID-19.
Even though some services have been re-opened, the path of the virus means that we are likely to see the likes of community centres, libraries, restaurants and coffee shops providing limited if any services for some time to come.
So what can we do to help our family members avoid the many downsides of isolation?
Voluntary groups
A worthwhile first stop could be AgeUK’s main web site and finding the nearest office to your parent. If their helpline is open they may be able to point you in the direction of trusted phone contact volunteers.
AgeScotland has now announced that elderly friends/relatives who are struggling with loneliness during this period of social isolation can call their @agescotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222. Similarly AgeCymru is offering a‘check-in-and-chat’ telephone service for the over 70s in Wales who live alone from Monday 23 March 2020 on 08000 223 444.
Re-engage, previously know as Contact the Elderly, is reorganising its services to deliver more telephone contact. As with many charities, it is appealing for both volunteers and donations to help support this. Refer your parent and the charity should be in touch.
Communication
Never underestimate the value of a daily phone call. Make an appointment for a certain time, so your parent can look forward to it, and know that they will be your priority at that time.
You could try roping in other members of the family to make a call, maybe once or twice a week. Don’t worry about having nothing much to say – it’s the contact that counts.
The challenge of face coverings
We know hearing tends to deteriorate with age and that hearing aids can help, but many people also depend on lip reading to understand what others are saying. The requirement to wear masks or face coverings is a new level of challenge for the hearing impaired.
How can you help? A few useful tips include:
- Moving the conversation to as quiet a place as possible
- Speaking clearly and perhaps a little more loudly than possible
- Using body language and your hands to help the conversation
- Rewording a phrase or sentence if a few repetitions haven’t helped
Digital communication
The benefit of the internet is being able to see people while you’re talking to them. There are plenty of free options, such as Facetime, WhatsApp and Skype, as well as apps more often used for business meetings, such as Zoom. You can conference call as well, to get the family together.
If your parent is technologically aware and already a FaceBook user, then there are some interesting groups to join. From Archers Addicts to sewing circles, there are some friendly and supportive groups.
While I wouldn’t recommend that they join local community groups right now (rather a lot of bickering and judging going on), there are local history groups who share photos and memories of life in another age. That could be combined with working on your family tree. Some of the heritage apps are offering some free services right now.
You could join a local community groups on your parent’s behalf, to keep an eye out for organised help, or even bits of local news that you could share with your parent. Also many micro-groups are being set up for individual roads with the aim of looking out for neighbours. Organisers may put a note through your parent’s door with details.
Entertainment
Daytime television is remarkably limited. Even with wider services from the likes of Virgin and Sky, repeats are the order of the day. To make viewing more interesting, you could organise DVDs for your parent. What about a box set of a classic serial from a few years ago, like the Forsyte Sage or anything by Trollope or Jane Austen? Or sports events? Or classic films such as the Ealing Comedies?
Does your parent have a hobby that they still enjoy or could pick up again? Perhaps you could think of a purpose for them to start knitting, woodworking, or whatever they enjoy. You could order supplies to be delivered to their home.
The radio is a great comfort for many. Avoid the stations that are end-to-end with Coronavirus talk, or pick out programmes to recommend to your parent that they would enjoy. (Another excuse to call could be to say a good programme is about to start.)
Radio4Extra is a great retreat, but does need a DAB radio for reception or a television service with radio choices. DAB can be tricky to receive, so if you’re thinking of sending a new radio to your parent, pick a good quality one and, if you get a copy of the instructions, you can help them set it up.
Reading is a solitary pleasure in itself. As well as ordering real books or versions for Kindle, you could organise audiobooks. If your parent is a member of the local library, they may be able to access online book download services, even while the libraries are closed. Amazon’s Audible service is worth a look.
Still stuck for ideas for a parent that needs help to work out their day? A new app aims to help carers for those living with dementia generate fun activities to keep minds active during lockdown. Produced by Relish, Support for Care has over 200 different activities suitable for different stages of the dementia journey which can be conducted within the home. The app is available to download on both Apple and Android, and includes learning videos and a questionnaire which can help you choose the appropriate activity level for abilities.
Exercise
It’s important that people try to keep up with some exercise, even if they can’t get out of the house. It not only keeps them mobile, but also raises the spirits.
There are a good number of online classes they could join, or again you could order a DVD. Even downloading some exercises and posting the instructions to your parent might be useful. Move It or Lose It normally runs instructor-led classes, but with those closed they are offering a support pack from their website – click on the find-a-class function and it should pop up.
Image by Angelika Graczyk from Pixabay
