Age UK estimates that approximately 2 million individuals over the age of 75 live alone in the UK. Given this figure, it is not surprising that many elderly adults struggle with feelings of loneliness.
Loneliness in this age group can be brought on by several factors, from the loss of a partner to increasingly reduced mobility and ongoing health issues. These experiences can act as obstacles, preventing individuals from socialising and isolating them from others. Whether being left alone through bereavement or isolated by an inability to get out and about, it can seem like the only option to prevent loneliness is to move into a care home facility.
However, other types of care services are available to help your loved one with feelings of loneliness without them having to move out of the home they love. Live-in care can provide round-the-clock support and companionship for your loved one, meaning they no longer need to fear living alone at home.
What is live-in care?
Live-in care is a form of around the clock support provided at home. What sets live-in care apart from other types of home-based care is that the carer resides with your loved one in their home. Having a one-to-one live-in carer on-site ensures that your loved one receives round-the-clock personalised care tailored to their daily routines and care needs. What’s more, with a perfectly matched live-in carer nearby, there’s always someone around to chat with and keep your loved one company.
Live-in care benefits elderly individuals as they age and encounter difficulties carrying out their everyday tasks, moving around, and socialising. Not only can live-in carers chat and share hobbies and interests with your loved one, but they can also help them overcome obstacles to socialising.
Live-in care can provide support with the following:
- Personal care and toileting
- Cooking and meal preparation
- Light housekeeping
- Household administration
- Mobility support
- Maintaining an active social life, both within and outside the home
- Transportation to and from appointments and social engagements
- Medication management
- Arranging appointments and collecting prescriptions
We understand that every individual requires different types of care depending on their needs and preferences. The main advantage of live-in care is that it is a completely adaptable service that can offer a full range of support, from addressing specific health needs to companion care.
What is companion care?
If your loved one is experiencing feelings of loneliness and isolation, a companion carer is on hand to help them by providing companionship. Companion care is a specific type of support focusing on the social side of care. It can include helping your loved one to continue their hobbies or engaging them in activities like jigsaw puzzles. However, a companion carer can help with other aspects of care and be there to chat with and offer a listening ear.
When matching your loved one with a compatible companion carer, we look at their specific health needs and location. We also consider an individual’s daily routine, hobbies and interests, to match them with a carer who becomes more like a friend.
Country Cousins live-in companion care can offer:
- Someone to chat to whenever needed
- A carer that is perfectly matched personality-wise
- Transportation to social events and meetings with friends
- Someone to share hobbies and interests with
- A carer to accompany your loved one on walks, shopping trips and more
- Peace of mind for you and your family, knowing that your loved one has companionship
Why is loneliness a problem for the elderly?
Elderly individuals are at a greater risk of experiencing loneliness and becoming isolated from the outside world. With over a million older people saying they go more
than a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member, it is safe to say that loneliness can be a significant problem for the elderly.
This loneliness epidemic among those over 75 could be due to several factors. For example, they may have lost a spouse, or friends or family members that they used to turn to for companionship may have moved away. Loneliness in elderly individuals can also be brought on by reduced mobility and problems with getting out and about.
Whatever the reason, loneliness shouldn’t be taken lightly, as it not only causes distress but can also affect physical health. Loneliness can increase an elderly person’s risk of the following health conditions:
- Depression
- Cognitive decline
- Dementia
- Increase blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
How to reduce feelings of loneliness
Individuals who are experiencing loneliness often find it difficult to communicate what they are feeling. This makes it important that friends and family watch for signs that their loved one may be struggling. Losing interest in hobbies and activities, eating more or less than usual, withdrawing from socialising, or having difficulty communicating can all be signs that your elderly loved one may be feeling lonely and isolated.
So, what can you do to help an elderly person who is at risk of becoming lonely and isolated? Here are a few steps to take to help your elderly loved one overcome feelings of loneliness:
- Listen to their concerns to better understand how they are feeling
- Arrange for a companion carer to keep them company
- Encourage them to plan out their week and fill it with fun things to do
- Get them involved in community activities
- Suggest they join a class to learn something new
- Stay in touch with regular phone calls or using video calls if possible
- Visit them as often as possible
- If they are able, suggest that they volunteer their time to a local charity
How live-in care can help with loneliness
With live-in care, there is always someone around to talk to. If your loved one is experiencing loneliness and could also do with a bit of extra support with everyday activities, live-in care can help them feel comfortable and happy in the home they love.
A live-in carer can assist with personal care, light housekeeping duties and meal preparation, and they can also provide companionship. Having someone around to talk to and who has the time to listen is important to fend off feelings of loneliness.
What’s more, a live-in carer can help facilitate social engagements and activities by transporting and escorting your loved one to catch ups with friends and other social events. With live-in care, your loved one will always have company should they wish to go for a walk or take a trip somewhere, contributing to their physical and mental wellness.
How Country Cousins can help
Country Cousins live-in care is a great comfort for individuals seeking companion care and more in their later years. We understand the importance of having someone to talk to in preventing feelings of loneliness. All of our various types of live-in care can offer companionship as well as care and support to your loved one if they are living alone in their own home.
Over 400 families trust us daily to match them with the perfect live-in carer. You can depend on us to help you find the most suitable live-in care for your loved one. For more advice on choosing in-home care for your elderly loved one, check out our live-in care guide.
Talk to our team today
If you require live-in care for your loved one, get in touch with us at Country Cousins today on 01293 244 706. We are the UK’s longest-serving introductory live-in care agency, having provided compassionate care to people in their own homes since 1959.
Give us a call today. Our experienced team is on hand to help from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. Alternatively, contact us through our online enquiry form.