Companionship is key to a healthy life but more needs to be done to reduce loneliness amongst the elderly on the Isle of Wight, according to research carried out by a 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 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 10 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.
John Oswald, owner of Home Instead Senior Care said:
“These findings don’t surprise us. A large part of our service involves providing companionship and we see just how life changing it can be for people who are feeling alone. If you can spare a few minutes a week to call a parent or check on an older neighbour, it could mean the world to them.”
The survey also revealed that that 86% of older people in the local area want to live at home so as to not lose their independence and 63% also feel safe in the comfort of their own home.
John 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”.
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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.
If you would like to make a difference in the lives of older people or to find out more about the work of Home Instead Senior Care, call 01983 240015 or visit https://www.homeinstead.co.uk/isle-of-wight.
