Care company urge public to help combat loneliness amongst elderly in Oldham

Client and caregiver from Home Instead Senior Care

Companionship is key to a healthy life but more needs to be done to reduce loneliness amongst the elderly in Oldham, according to research carried out by an in-home care provider.

Home Instead Senior Care surveyed more than 2,000 over 65s with 9 in 10 stating that regular companionship would help them to stay mentally and physically healthy for longer.

Despite this, it was revealed that many older people in Oldham felt lonely with over a quarter of over 65s saying they spent 8 hours alone daily and almost half (49%) of over 85s facing at least ten hours a day alone.

Now the home care company is urging the public to take action to help older people in the community feel less lonely.

Mick Sheehan, owner of CQC Outstanding rated Home Instead Senior Care said, “It is clear that people want to live in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible. 

Loneliness can have a serious implication on a person’s health and many people we support simply want company and a conversation.”

The survey also revealed that that 82% of older people in the local area want to live at home so as to not lose their independence and 67% also feel safe in the comfort of their own home.

Mick continued, “It comes as no surprise to us to find that most people want to live at home for as long as possible. For most of us, our home is our sanctuary throughout our lives. When we get older, we’ve raised our families and earned our rest, we should get to enjoy the comfort of our own space.

“This is why our person-centred care model works so well because our caregivers can provide companionship and support as well as encouraging older people to engage and be part of the community.”

The home care company this month launched a television campaign to highlight how care at home works, as well as highlighting the rewarding role of working in care.

Home Instead’s service is personal and tailored to the needs of each individual. It’s a unique proposition that centres around visiting clients for a minimum of one hour at a time and matching them to caregivers who have common interests.

There is a shortage of caregivers in our society at the moment. Home Instead Senior Care recruits people of every age, regardless of employment background; basing hiring decisions on an applicant’s passion for care rather than experience. 

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