Loneliness does not discriminate. It can consume any type of person from any age group, ethnicity, class or gender. With this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week’s theme being ‘loneliness’, it is very important to recognise the effects it has on our mental health and how we can all play a part in reducing loneliness throughout all communities.
Mark Rowland, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said: “Loneliness is affecting more and more of us in the UK and has had a huge influence on our physical and mental health during the pandemic. That is why we have chosen it as our theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2022. Our connection to other people and our community is fundamental to protecting our mental health so we must find better ways of tackling the epidemic of loneliness. We can all play a part in this. The week is also an invaluable opportunity for people to talk about all aspects of mental health, with a focus on providing help and advice.”
With the older population, they are particularly vulnerable and subjected to loneliness and social isolation, which can have very serious effects on their health and wellbeing. There is a real problem in the UK with how elderly people are treated and eventually cut from society, especially over the age of 75. Unlike other cultures, where elderly people are highly respected and treated with much more compassion and care, the UK’s elderly population are seen as less than the rest of society and therefore become disconnected. 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 for over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member.
At Capital Care, the state of our patients’ mental health is one of our many top priorities, and we understand the importance of being present and accompanying them in any way we can, not just for essential caring purposes. We never want any of our residents to feel alone, or that they cannot confide or communicate with any of our staff. Aside from catering to our patients’ basic needs and wants, our staff’s attitude and passion to be involved and build relationships with the residents in our homes is key to combating loneliness one step at a time. Our staff are devoted to making sure our residents are in the best place mentally, and we strive to make sure they are 100% happy in their environment and how they are cared for.
We not only have reliable and trustworthy staff, we provide many different interactive, group friendly activities which encourage social interaction and will reduce as much alone time as possible for the residents. Whether that’s making new friends, enjoying a laugh or a cheeky tipple, sharing stories of their earliest memories, learning a new skill, watching a film or joining a group day out, we want residents to enjoy their time with us, have a fulfilling daily lifestyle and maintain a sense of independence. We believe that the provision of activities designed around our residents interests and capabilities lead to a more fulfilling and enjoyable experience. Activities help to promote independence and better health, which ultimately tackles the issue of loneliness head on, giving the older generations newfound enjoyment in their later years.
If any of the elderly population feel a sense of loneliness, Capital Care is always here. Pick up the phone, and one of our members of staff will be more than happy to chat to you. To learn more about us, our services, and our amazingly passionate staff who are on constant stand-by to help, give us a call today.
0345 0750380