How to help elderly people struggling with loneliness

[Li****]

I read an article about how a lot of elderly people are getting depressed from feeling isolated from society. According to the article, more than 1 million people over 75 said they can go one whole month without talking to friends, family members, or a neighbour, which sounds so terrible! 

Getting old definitely makes you more vulnerable in many ways, but what are some things you can do for elderly people around you? Whether it's your grandmother or the old lady next door, I'm sure we can think of ways of making them feel seen and important. 

Let's share our best ideas :) 

[Tine]

In the little village where I live, I make an effort to greet everyone with a smile or to stop for a chat when walking my dog each day. It's fun, and I get to practice some Spanish on top of that. By now I made friends enough that my 84-year-old neighbour would come by and ask me to get her a new waterpot when I drive to town, or she would give me fresh plums from the garden which I would partially return to her the next day in the form of a cake.
I have also learned that people's bodies get old, but many of the older people I chat with a really cheeky and won't let an opportunity to pull my leg pass unused. ?

Related to that: Loneliness amongst older people was something I was aware of. A survey by BBC Radio 4 revealed that the age group most affected by loneliness are young people between 16 and 24!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2018/loneliest-age-group-radio-4

[An****]

I live with an old Spanish old lady(76 years) who has 3 kids in the same city but she was totally alone when I decided to rent a room in her apartment . Eventually form a Tenant , Landlord relationship , it became a beautiful Mom , Son relationship. I started seeing her as my source of energy . Her love for me was unconditional and I was wondering how she maintains that energy with no family around her. She made friends with people on the streets and she got rid of her loneliness and sufferings by expressing love towards everyone.

[Julius]

Reading your comments fills my heart with joy,  so nice to hear your stories @AnandKoodali and @Tine

A few years ago I met this guy in England who created - a now global - movement to end loneliness of senior citizens. Check out these videos:

 

 

 

They now have more than 14.000 volunteers and also a few chapters here in Barcelona: https://cyclingwithoutage.org/

 

 

[An****]

Loved this inspirational video brother. Let's all do our part to spread happiness ❤️ 

[fo****]

Well, when my grandpa was struggling with depression because of loneliness, a doctor offered him to try a little bit of CBD oil, time to time. And it worked pretty nice.

Edited September 5, 2019 by foster5565

[fo****]

There was nothing better than that. I mean he tried everything, like medications, going to different places, where they were gathering around and talking about their problems, you know. But then our doctor recommended one great website. This Resource site, which been recommended by a doctor has tons of really useful information about how cannabidiol affect on human body, and where ti purchase the best cbd-infused products. I'm glad that we live in time, when it's so easy to order such things, that can help with your body and mental issues.

[be****]

Loneliness dosnt just come with age .....its something we all suffer from , the most vulnerable young people are disabled , sick , and carers ....we should all try and do a little more for each other , kindness and compassion ....just make people feel cared for.

[Za****]

I went jogging and ran passed an elderly chap who tried talking but I was running.  I noticed he looked sad.  I ran back found him and talked he looked happy.  His walks were down this country lane, so I painted some kindess rocks and left them with positive messages for him to notice when he walked past next and maybe take one home.  He said seeing the postman was the highlight of his day.  I said we are all feeling that way with lockdown.