Dealing with Loneliness: How Home Care can help

For many older people living alone, that quiet house can start to feel empty very quickly, especially at Christmas time. Loneliness in the elderly has been linked to low mood, anxiety, poor sleep, higher risk of falls and even physical illness.

Age UK warn, ‘If we don’t tackle loneliness, by 2034 there will be 1.2 million people over 65 in England who will often feel lonely, with far reaching consequences’.

The good news? Homecare agencies can step in to offer more than just help with washing and dressing. With the right support, carers can bring seniors conversation, laughter and meaningful connection, as well as practical daily help.

Emotional support at home

When you’re lonely and perhaps feeling low or overwhelmed, simple suggestions of “join a club” or “call a friend” may not be particularly helpful.

As well as personal care, many homecare services offer regular companionship visits, giving people a familiar face, a listening ear and real emotional support in their own home.

Over time, that relationship can make a huge difference to an older person’s confidence and wellbeing.

A good home care set-up can mean:

• Regular visits from a familiar carer to talk, listen and share interests.
• Gentle encouragement to get out to local groups, cafés or day centres.
• Help to keep in touch with family and friends by phone, tablet or video call.
• Daily routines that support better sleep, appetite, mood and wellbeing.
• Spotting changes in health or behaviour and flagging them up to family or health professionals.

In a nutshell, steady, human support to make each day feel less empty and more connected.

The benefits of social interaction with a professional carer

There’s a big difference between the odd quick chat at the door and having a professional to talk to regularly.

Caregivers are trained to build relationships. They get to know a person’s history, family, hobbies and worries. That means they notice when someone seems quieter than usual or more anxious.

The benefits of social interaction with a regular carer include:

• Improved mood – simply having someone to talk to can ease that heavy, lonely feeling.
• More confidence – people feel more able to go out, try activities or accept visitors.
• Better communication – regular conversations keep language and memory skills active.
• Feeling safer – knowing someone will be popping in reduces anxiety, especially after a fall or hospital stay.

Carers can also carry out consistent health monitoring. They’re often the first to spot changes in appetite, sleep, mobility, memory or mood. A quick note added to the care record or call to family can prompt a GP visit or community nurse support.

For relatives, knowing that someone is checking in on their loved ones’ physical and emotional health takes a huge weight off their shoulders, particularly if they don’t live nearby or work full-time.

Support with daily tasks to ease loneliness

It’s easy to think of support with daily tasks as purely practical: meals prepared, medication prompts, help with washing and dressing, a bit of light housework.

In reality, everyday jobs like cooking together, sorting the washing, going through the post, making a cuppa and watching a favourite TV programme, are all chances for connection and conversation.

Instead of tasks being rushed through in silence, they become shared moments that ease loneliness and bring some normality back.

Carers can:

• Encourage someone who has lost interest in food to eat small, enjoyable meals.
• Support personal care in a way that feels respectful, not embarrassing.
• Help someone keep up with hobbies like gardening, knitting, puzzles or music.
• Build a simple daily routine that suits the person’s energy levels and preferences.

For home care agencies, good organisation behind-the-scenes is key. With digital care management tools like TagCare’s all-in-one software, teams can plan visits, keep clear notes on someone’s mood and preferences, and send the same familiar faces whenever possible.

Combating loneliness in the elderly: family, community and support groups

Tackling loneliness for seniors works best when everyone pulls together – families, friends, community organisations and the home care team.

Home carers can act as a bridge between the person at home and the outside world, helping them link with:

• Local coffee mornings, lunch clubs and activity groups.
• Dementia cafés, reminiscence groups or carer support sessions.
• Faith communities, choirs, walking groups or arts and crafts classes.
• Support groups, such as befriending schemes or telephone chat services run by charities.

Not everyone will be up for going out at first. Carers can start small, perhaps a short walk, sitting in the garden, or a quick pop to the local shop – and build up gradually as confidence grows.

Families can also play their part, even if they don’t live close by. Simple ideas include:

• Regular phone or video calls at set times during the week.
• Sending photos, postcards or voice notes to share day-to-day life.
• Helping set up easy-to-use technology (with the carer on hand to keep it simple).
• Encouraging favourite hobbies like reading, puzzle books, radio shows or music playlists.

The important message for older people is, asking for help to deal with loneliness is not a sign of weakness but shows they value their wellbeing and want life to feel brighter again.

Choosing a homecare agency that prioritises companionship and wellbeing

If you’re reading this and thinking, “This is my mum/dad/partner/friend down to a T”, it could be time to look for a homecare agency that places companionship and emotional support at the heart of what they do.

When you’re speaking to agencies, ask them:

• “How do you support people dealing with loneliness?”
• “Do you offer companionship visits as well as personal care?”
• “Will my loved one see the same carers regularly?”
• “How do you keep us updated about their mood, wellbeing and any concerns?”

A quality domiciliary care provider will be able to talk confidently about emotional support, benefits of social interaction, and how they help with mood-boosting and general wellbeing.

If you’re feeling lonely yourself – or worried about someone you love – reaching out to a local homecare agency for a friendly chat could be a positive first step.

And if you’re a provider looking to improve how you support clients dealing with loneliness, TagCare’s homecare software is there to help you keep every person’s wellbeing centre stage.