When wintertime comes around, older people and those who care for them often start to think about preventing potential problems like falls or burst pipes. But problems that might not be at the top of the list – though they should be – are loneliness and mental health.

Dark days can cause lower mood in many people due to seasonal affective disorder. Moreover, limited daylight hours can cause older people to become isolated because they’re not comfortable with going outdoors in the dark and cold. And that’s a real problem.

In this post, we’ll talk about why loneliness is a particular risk for the elderly in winter as well as what can be done to combat it.

Why winter can result in social isolation

It goes without saying that icy walkways are already a wintertime concern for older people. That’s even more the case after sunset, when temperatures drop and elderly people may struggle to see where they’re treading and whether it’s slippery.

Faced with the risk of falling on ice or tripping over in the dark, older people may prefer to stay indoors. Likewise, they may fear driving in the dark – which is not irrational, as the elderly do have worse night vision.

More broadly, some outdoor social activities will close down during the winter months. Senior-friendly sports like golf or bowls are on pause, and outside social areas like pub gardens are unavailable. Though Christmas may bring a welcome opportunity to socialise for some, it doesn’t help during the chilly months of January and February.

Why loneliness matters

Is wintertime loneliness that serious? Absolutely – for several reasons.

For one, the mind and body are connected, so loneliness can have real effects on physical health. According to the US Centers for Disease Control, loneliness can increase the chances of dementia, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular emergencies like heart attacks.

Part of the issue is that elderly people who are mostly self-sufficient may need a little help from friends that they don’t get during the winter. Without social contact, they may become more vulnerable as their health and wellbeing diminish.

For example, they might need a friend to urge them to go to the doctor about a persistent cough, for example. They might have low appetite and less desire to eat if they’re alone, resulting in malnutrition. Or they might benefit from someone else’s assistance with handling a problem on a utility provider’s website.

All of these little bits of help can add up to a higher quality of life and better health – so losing them really matters.

Lastly, depression resulting from loneliness can have its own effects, such as a lack of self-care or neglect of the home. And that can be dangerous, too, as well as painful for the older person.

How to prevent social isolation during winter

So, what can be done to address these potential harms from loneliness?

There are lots of steps that can be taken to reduce isolation when it’s cold and dark outdoors…

Virtual socialising

Chatting with friends or family over an iPad screen or laptop isn’t quite the same as seeing them in person, but it can still bring an important mood boost and a feeling of togetherness. This can help keep away the depression that accompanies isolation.

Moreover, face-to-face Zoom calls can also help family members stay aware of their elderly relative’s wellbeing. They can notice whether their loved one looks thinner or confused, for example.

A key point here is that older people may need help setting up the technology needed to do Zoom calls or video calls. A gift like an iPad, complete with help setting it up, can make all the difference.

Of course, some seniors are very tech-savvy and won’t need that assistance. But those who aren’t may appreciate devices that are designed to be simple, streamlined, and easy for older people to use. Consider looking into senior-friendly mobile phones and other tech devices for the elderly.

Scheduled check-ins and social events

Keeping a routine can be immensely beneficial for elderly people who are retired. It helps give days a sense of structure and meaning.

What’s even better is scheduling social time into their calendar. This way, an older person can look forward to their weekly visit from their grandchildren, or they can feel reassured by a daily morning check-in text with their adult children.

Scheduling social time in this way also allows family members to ensure they have a good sense of their older loved one’s wellbeing. They can keep an eye on any warning signs and help their elderly relative address problems before they can become worse.

Assisted hosting

If an older person prefers not to go out in the dark and cold, the logical answer might be for them to host a social event at home. But the work involved with holding a meal or gathering in their home may be too much for them if they’re frailer or find it hard to get around.

Family and friends can assist by helping their older loved one to host. They can attend a gathering in the elderly person’s home but bring their own food and do all the clean-up afterwards.

Volunteering

It’s not uncommon for seniors to lose social contacts as they age. Old friends may move away or pass away, for example, and family members may become busy with their own children or work.

The answer, then, is that elderly people benefit from meeting new people. And one of the best ways to do that is volunteering or community work. Since retirees have more free time, they’re often found in volunteer positions, so there’s a greater chance of making friends who are at the same stage in life.

The Silver Line helpline (0800 470 8090) and Re-engage can both assist older people with becoming more involved with their community. In fact, they can do much more than that, too.

Turn to services for older people who are lonely

Run by Age UK, the Silver Line is a service specifically designed to assist seniors who are feeling lonely. In addition to helping older people become more involved, it also provides an opportunity for an elderly person simply to have a friendly chat.

Similarly, Re-engage is a registered charity that aims to reduce loneliness and isolation in people aged 75 and up. It offers several types of activity that can help, including activity groups, monthly tea parties and ‘call companions’ who provide telephone chats.

Protect older loved ones during cold months with SureSafe

If you’re worried about an elderly friend or loved one who might be isolated, the above steps can really help with loneliness.

But there’s more to do. Seniors who are isolated also need protection from physical dangers – especially the chance that they may have an emergency while alone and be unable to call for help.

That’s where personal alarms for the elderly come in. Since they’re worn on the body as a wrist alarm or alarm pendant, they’re always at hand. A one-touch SOS button on the alarm makes it easy to call for help super-fast, with no hassle like dialling a phone.

And fall detection is designed to call for assistance even if the alarm wearer is unconscious. Alarms with this feature have sensors that are constantly analysing whether or not their wearer has fallen. If they do believe a fall has happened, they’ll call for help all on their own. During winter months, when slips and falls are more likely, this functionality is essential.

At SureSafe, we’re a leading UK provider of personal alarms with these features and more. Our alarms are easy to use and affordable – as our fantastic ratings and reviews show.

If you’d like to know how a personal alarm could protect an elderly dear to you who might be lonely or isolated, just get in touch with us 0808 189 1671 or through live chat. We’ll be delighted to answer any questions that you have. Alternatively, you can request a call back.