Summertime and the livin' is easy... but not if you an older person living in Ireland with few friends or social contacts...
Posted on 6th July 2016
What’s not to like about summer? Think of warm, bright days and balmy evenings to enjoy. Think of flowers, holidays, barbecues and festivals. And when it rains, remember that some rain is necessary and welcome for lawns, plants and crops.
But it is not all good news. Summertime can be a lonely time for many older people. We have known this anecdotally, and now a small study by Christine Victor, Brunel University, London has found that older people are more likely to feel lonely in summer than at Christmas. She studied 34 older people at different times of the year and found that summers can be very lonely. While this was a small study, she feels it is significant. “This was an evidence-based exercise, rather than something based on myths and stereotypes” she said, (Department of Clinical Sciences 2014).
There are some obvious reasons why people may be lonelier in summer. First, family, friends and neighbours can be away on annual holiday leaving the older person alone. Secondly, many care-giving services close down for one or two summer months. Other community services can shut up shop too, including voluntary organisations that normally meet throughout the year. These meetings can give something to look forward to in the day, a structure to the week, and ready companionship, which can be particularly important to those with relatively few people in their lives.
Older people getting out and about on their own can often find themselves alone in a crowd. Sitting alone, surrounded by couples and families can only serve to emphasise their solitude and isolation. While it can lift the spirits to see other people enjoy themselves, it can also exacerbate one’s own feelings of separation and aloneness. Typical summer quotes from callers to Senior Help Line include:
‘I’m very depressed as I’m less mobile each year. This year shows me that I can get out and about even less’ - 78 year old female caller
‘If I have seen nobody all day, the afternoon only emphasises how lonely I am’ – 80 year old male caller
‘I enjoy afternoon television, but they change the schedule in summer, and I miss my favourites’ – 71 year old female caller
‘The summer day seems to go on forever’.
Laura Ferguson, Director of the UK Campaign to End Loneliness, says the Brunel study which puts Christmas in context is helpful for the sector: “Organisations and charities make a tremendous effort around older people at Christmas. Our research indicates that some older people can be lonely at any time and there is a value maintaining contact all year,” she says.
So what can older people do to help themselves to some contact and companionship this summer?
- Think about yourself – if you long for company, invite people to visit, even for a cup of tea. Many would be happy to spend time with you if invited
- Take small steps – remember to have regular gentle exercise, eat as well as you can, have some treats, help yourself to relax you more fully in your own company
- Keep an open mind. You may never have considered a day centre as something for you, but you won’t know until you try, and may be pleasantly surprised at the company and change of scene if offers.
- Find out what activities are still happening during the summer. Your local library will have information
- Look out for special summer events – many towns now have festivals, go through the programme to see if anything attracts you.
- Ask for contact. There are now dozens of befriending organisations round the country – big and small – organising visits to older people at home each week. Find out if there is such a service in your area. Or contact www.alone.ie. This organisation co-ordinates Ireland’s befriending organisations under the umbrella of Befriending Network Ireland.
