IT’S ‘THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR’, BUT NOT FOR EVERYONE
We can’t believe how quickly this year has flown by, and that this is our last blog for 2015! It has been a busy year for everyone at Otus Live-In Care – particularly for all our registered live-in carers who have looked after our clients.
As it’s our last post of the year, we’d like to take the opportunity to express our thanks to all our registered carers for their hard work and dedication. It takes a special person to be a live-in carer – it can be very hard work – but we regularly receive feedback from our carers that they derive a lot of personal satisfaction too. So spare a thought and say a big ‘thank you’ to anyone who will be working over the festive season, looking after the elderly, keeping them safe and secure and giving up their own family Christmas.
Christmas can be a very tough time of year for older people. Especially for those living alone, with reduced mobility, and limited opportunity to get out of the house. Our clients tell us that one of the key benefits of opting for live-in care is knowing that a loved one has company and is not lonely. A live-in carer can also minimise the chance of someone having a fall or sustaining some other injury and being unable to summon help. Plus, the carers are on hand to pop into town to collect medications or shopping, to play a game of scrabble or just be a companion during the dark, winter evenings.
Sadly, at this time of the year, we are made more aware of loneliness and the elderly. Research has found that almost half a million elderly people will be spending Christmas on their own this year. The unfortunate truth is that for some people Christmas Day is just ‘another day’. Some may even have refused an invitation to a family gathering, or a friend’s house, for fear of ‘imposing’ or because they are worried that they will find the day too long and exhausting, or struggle to make conversation. Advertising campaigns portraying ‘perfect’ family gatherings only help to foster the feeling of isolation. But, there are things that we can all do to help the vulnerable in society to avoid feeling lonely during the festive period. On a personal level, you can spend time making sure that the older people in your community have somewhere to go on Christmas day, especially those who have lost their life partner. If you don’t feel it’s appropriate to extend an invitation to a big traditional Christmas meal, even a coffee and a chat in the run up to the big day, or between Christmas and New Year could be a lifesaver.
If you aren’t in a position to help personally, but you know of someone who might be suffering, it’s worth taking a look at the Community Christmas website communitychristmas.org.uk. Set up in 2011, Community Christmas is a charity, with the express purpose of bringing together individuals and organisations to provide companionship for the elderly on Christmas Day. The charity provides a national listing of events which are already planned for the elderly as well as guidance notes and telephone support to anyone wanting to set up an event in their own community. You might find that there is something already organised for older people in your area that you could suggest as a good place to visit.
If you have any concerns about a family member over the holiday period and think they could do with some extra care, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team for some ‘no obligation’ advice on 01403 710119 or email [email protected]. In the meantime, however you choose to celebrate the festive season, we wish you a wonderful, relaxing time and best wishes for 2016.