Loneliness is the danger of Christmas – we can all help combat it | United Kingdom | News
A million older people in the UK believe they are more isolated at Christmas than at any other time of year. One in ten people will eat Christmas dinner alone and a quarter of older people will not put up any decorations.
These startling figures, courtesy of the charity Age UK, paint a picture of loneliness that is difficult to fathom. Luckily, most of us take being surrounded by friends and family for granted, especially at Christmas. But this is not the norm for some of the oldest and most vulnerable people in society. And while loneliness is difficult at any time of year, at Christmas it can be downright unbearable to be surrounded by other people having fun when you’re alone.
I am shocked that in our modern society, a million people – or one in 12 older people – feel alone. This should give us pause. After all, this could be something we experience ourselves in the future – which makes it all the more important to support Age UK in its efforts for older people.
At 73, I personally fall into the category of “elderly”. I’m lucky to have a large, relatively young family and, like many others, I don’t tend to think about being alone later in life. But many middle-aged people facing loneliness don’t know it yet. This could be the result of a broken relationship, bereavement, or simply the fact that they never settled down or found the right person.
And even if you have a strong circle of friends and a large family, there’s no guarantee that you won’t be alone later in life. Many older people watch family and friends die, leaving them with no one to spend time with. Changes in society have not improved our feeling of isolation. Gone are the days when we could count on a cheerful daily chat with the postman, and for those of us who still get milk delivered, it’s arranged online, so we no longer have a friendly milkman who Come and say hello. Even supermarkets are increasingly installing self-checkouts, removing even more daily interactions. This may be suitable for young people in a hurry, but not if chatting at the checkout is something you enjoy.
The more we stay indoors and don’t talk to people, the more our feelings of isolation increase. So I would ask readers to keep an eye on their neighbors this year. At the same time, be prepared for them to say they are fine.
Older people tend to be proud. They don’t necessarily want anyone poking their nose into it. They may be happy to be invited over to their house or for you to run a few errands for them, but they may not feel like they need help. So it’s worth offering help, but do it tactfully.
Age UK has experience in this area and its work – from its befriending services to supporting local community groups – is invaluable. Every £1 million raised in the latest Omaze Million Pound House draw in the Lake District will fund two million minutes of friendship, social activity and vital support for older people across Age UK.
This is an incredible partnership and it’s not every day that you get to be part of something that has the power to change lives, both for the lucky winner of this magnificent home and for the elderly people that Age UK supports every day. Funds raised through this partnership with Omaze until Boxing Day will ensure more older people receive the support they deserve.
Meanwhile, in your own communities, try to learn about your own elderly relatives and neighbors. If you can’t visit him in person, there are still many things you can do to show you care: a phone or video call, cards, letters, or even small gifts. And encourage them to call the Age UK advice line if they need a cheerful chat.
Christmas is the perfect time to get involved and donate your time to charity. Age UK relies on the generous support of its telephone volunteers who provide vital companionship to older people throughout the year. Likewise, volunteers from the charity’s stores help raise much-needed funds to support its work.
So consider volunteering if you have free time. And don’t forget your neighbors and friends and do what you can to make their lives a little better this Christmas. Loneliness is such an easy thing to combat. A kind word, a quick visit, some shopping or a cup of tea can make the situation much better. We are all in this together.
Call Age UK Advice on 0800 169 65 65. To enter the Omaze Million Pound draw in the Lake District in partnership with Age UK, visit omaze.co.uk
