What is it about?
Christmas is a time for celebration with family and friends. Yet many older people find themselves lonely at this festive time. There are many things that can be done by the communities to include older people in the celebrations and make a difference to their lives.
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Why is it important?
Loneliness in older people is a huge concern for care settings. Research evidence indicates that being lonely can impact on health and well being in a significant way and can increase the risk of cognitive decline and depression. Simple strategies and approaches can make all the difference to older people to keep them healthy and happy.
Perspectives
Christmas is a time for celebration. We have lived all our lives looking forward to the festive season and the cheer. Older people may have been a key part in organising Xmas meals, buying presents and joining in in the sing song of Xmas songs. So why should they feel lonely in their older age and miss out on the fun. Let's do something to say thank you for all their efforts and make it a nice Xmas for them. I would not want to spend Xmas alone and neither should they do. I am a trustee of my local Age UK in Ealing, London and we provide a Xmas meal to older people in our area.
Dr Rekha R Elaswarapu
Rekha Elaswarapu Consultancy
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Avoiding loneliness at Christmas, Nursing and Residential Care, December 2017, Mark Allen Group,
DOI: 10.12968/nrec.2017.19.12.668.
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