Distance relatives
Abi Jackson suggests how to help elderly, isolated family members during the lockdown
DO you have older relatives who may be feeling very isolated?
People in older age groups are already at risk of loneliness and isolation, particularly those living alone and without internet access, so many could be feeling extremely cut off right now.
Ensuring older people have the food and prescriptions they need is important – but so too is caring for their mental health. Depression and anxiety can widely affect older age groups too, even if we tend to talk about it less.
So, how can we support isolated elderly relatives from afar?
Create a check-in rota with other family members
Could you create a rota with other family members, so that somebody checks in with them every day? You might not be able, or have the capacity, to call them yourself every day. Making it a shared effort is good for everybody’s wellbeing.
Talk about fun things on the phone
When you do have those phone check-ins, try to avoid just talking about the pandemic situation every time. Some light-hearted distraction can work wonders for all of us. Not sure what to talk about? How about TV show storylines, ask about their favourite books or share updates on funny things the kids.
Give them a list of handy helplines
There’s lots of support out there for isolated elderly people during the pandemic – but if they don’t have WiFi or a smartphone, they might not know about it. Do some Googling and give them a list of phone numbers that could be helpful if they find they’re struggling for any reason.
For example, Age UK, Independent Age and Mind all have helplines. Some have befriending services that’ll match them with a volunteer for friendly phone chats, too.
Make sure they know there’s help available for shopping and prescription collections
Your relative may be aware of the advice for over-70s to stay home – but they might not know help is available if they’re running out of essentials, or need to pick up a prescription.
Have a chat to them about scams
You don’t want to add to any anxiety but it’s a good idea to have a chat about scams. Fraudsters jump on any opportunity to con people, so make sure they know that nobody legitimate will cold call and ask them for money or bank details over text, phone, email or at the door.
Encourage them to remain physically active
They may be really missing their walks to the shops or swims and Zumba. Keeping active is vital for all of us, to stay healthy mentally and physically. Chat to your relative about ways they can keep active at home. Inspire them with some of the things you’ve been doing yourself.
Help them take up a new hobby
Ask them if there’s a craft they’ve always fancied trying, or activities they really enjoy to keep occupied. Perhaps cross-stitch, grown-up colouring books, or even just a stack of crosswords. It’s still possible to order many things online to be delivered.
Involve them in some of the fun group calls
We may be physically cut off, but thanks to apps and the internet, people are still finding ways to “socialise”, with everything from online pub quizzes to dance parties – which your elderly relative might find fun too.
Tell them when this is all over, you’ll plan a lovely visit
We’re all just taking things day by day right now. But for anybody feeling very cut off and isolated, a little reminder that it won’t be forever might bring lots of comfort.