Five ways to prevent isolation leading to loneliness

Loneliness is a big problem

Loneliness is a serious problem for older people. Age UK research suggests around 1.4 million older people experience chronic loneliness in England. Tackling loneliness is important because it can have a direct impact on the health and wellbeing of those affected.

So how can you prevent isolation leading to loneliness?

Keep active

Whether you are restricted to short walks or are being shielded and as such are unable to go out at all, it is very important to stay active.

If you aren’t able to go out for walks, you can find lots of videos online that will take you through exercise classes such as yoga or chair-based fitness. Choose something that suits your fitness level so that you enjoy the class without hurting yourself.

Alternatively, taking regular walks around your home or garden will help to keep you mobile.

Challenge yourself

Jigsaws, crosswords and sudoku are great ways to while away the hours whilst also being something you can dip in and out of as the mood takes you. As well as being great for passing the time, puzzles provide valuable mental stimulation and will help to keep your mind sharp.

If you don’t have any puzzles at home, ask a relative or carer to include a jigsaw or puzzle book in your next shop.

Write a book

It is often said that everyone has a book in them. Yet life often feels too busy to put pen to paper.

Now is the perfect time to start. Whether you have an active imagination full of short stories, feel inspired to write poetry or plan to commit your life story to paper, you might be surprised how easy it is to write now there are less distractions.

Writing can also be therapeutic so if you are feeling anxious or stressed, keep a journal of how you feel.

Visit somewhere you’ve always dreamed of

Everywhere from zoos to famous landmarks, art galleries to museums now offer virtual tours and days out. From the comfort and safety of your home you could take a trip to the places you always wanted to visit, with the added benefit of not being affected by the weather!

You can find them by searching on Google or Facebook.

Learn something new

The Third Age Trust is a fabulous educational resource specifically aimed at providing older people with lifelong learning opportunities. You can find out more here.

There is a wealth of other things you could try including, tracing your family history or embracing your artistic side by learning to knit, paint or draw. Simply search for a YouTube tutorial on your chosen subject.

Activities at The Dower House

Providing a rich and varied choice of activities plays an important part of life at The Dower House and whilst social distancing might mean we have had to change our approach, we haven’t allowed boredom to set in.

You can find out more about our activities and life at The Dower House by liking our Facebook page or joining our mailing list for a regular update on life at The Dower House.