Loneliness has only recently been recognised as impacting a person’s physical and mental well-being. Although loneliness is often associated with people who live alone, research shows that many people living in residential care homes experience loneliness, too. The study by the University of Bedfordshire found that over 80% of older care home residents with mental health problems reported feeling lonely.
In this article, we explain some of the reasons older people living in residential care may experience loneliness and the symptoms they may exhibit. We also share how live-in care from providers like Trinity Homecare can be a good alternative for those reluctant to move into residential care.
Loneliness and elderly people in the UK
Loneliness can affect people of all ages, but it is often more prevalent in older people. A study by Age UK found that 1.4 million elderly people in the UK are often lonely. Although some of the people who reported feeling lonely lived at home alone, many lived in residential care home settings.
Despite being surrounded by people, elderly people living in residential care often miss out on genuine connections with those around them, which can lead to feelings of isolation.
The effects of loneliness can be widespread but often include:
- Disrupted sleep
- Heightened anxiety
- Development of depression
There is also research that suggests a link between loneliness and the development of dementia, as well as other health conditions such as:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Weakened immune system
- Cognitive decline
- Alzheimer’s disease
Due to the significant impact loneliness can have on a person’s health, the Campaign to End Loneliness says that loneliness is a comparable early death risk factor to smoking 15 cigarettes each day.
Why might someone be lonely in a care home?
With many people living together in a residential care home and staff on-site at all times, you may wonder why someone would be lonely in a care home. The truth is that loneliness can be experienced even if you are surrounded by people. That’s because loneliness often results from not feeling a real connection with people rather than how many people you know or live with.
For older people living in residential care, often a key factor in the development of loneliness is their separation from everything familiar to them. Moving out of their home and the area they are familiar with into a care home can be an incredibly daunting and isolating experience that leads to a sense of identity loss.
These feelings can be further heightened if they don’t see familiar faces and can’t take part in their usual activities.
In addition, although residential care homes are staffed all the time, the staff are often working to tight schedules and simply don’t have the time for small talk with residents or to learn more about the people they are caring for. It should not come as a surprise then that many care home residents surveyed in the study from the University of Bedfordshire said that they felt if care home staff were able to give them more attention, then their loneliness would ease.
Signs of loneliness to look out for
Whether you are a friend, family member or carer, knowing the signs of loneliness to look out for can help you identify those who may be suffering from loneliness.
Some of the most common signs of loneliness in older people include:
1. Changes to sleeping patterns
Although many people experience changes in their sleep patterns as they age, significant problems getting to sleep, staying asleep, or excessive sleeping throughout the day can all be signs of loneliness. If you notice someone is sleeping more through the day when you visit them, or they are telling you they are struggling to sleep at night, it may be worth finding out how much interaction they are getting with others and whether loneliness could be the cause.
2. Changes in appetite and weight loss
Decreased appetite and rapid weight loss are both common signs of depression in older people, and they could be a result of them feeling lonely. It’s important to remember that mealtimes are not just about eating; they are also a chance for social interaction. So, it’s easy to see how people frequently eating alone may start to skip meals, as they just don’t get the same joy from meals as when they are shared with loved ones.
3. Difficulty in social settings
Although lonely people often crave social interaction, long periods of time spent alone can make it hard for them to seek out others. Anxiety in social situations, difficulty conversing in group settings, and withdrawal from group activities can all be signs of loneliness.
4. Increased anxiety
People who feel lonely often suffer from increased anxiety. You may notice that they start to worry or ‘fuss’ about simple tasks that normally wouldn’t have affected them, like a simple trip to the shops.
5. Low self-confidence
People suffering from loneliness will often lack self-confidence. This may present itself as a reluctance to try new activities, go somewhere new or interact with people they don’t know. Although often a result of feeling lonely, low self-confidence often further isolates individuals and compounds feelings of loneliness.
Which is better: a care home or live-in care?
When it comes to deciding whether a care home or live-in care at home is better, it really is down to the individual and their unique circumstances. Each offers benefits, and which is right for you or your loved one will depend on your preferences. You can find out more about live-in care in our guide.
If you are outgoing, you may thrive in a care home offering on-site activities and clubs. But for some people, moving away from familiar surroundings and people will be harder to adjust to and could result in feelings of loneliness.
The below table outlines some of the ways in which care home and live-in care differ:
| Live-in Care | Care Home |
|---|---|
| Remain in the comfort of your home | Support available day and night |
| Receive one-to-one care | Take part in on-site activities |
| Flexible routine with mealtimes to suit your preferences | Have a set daily routine |
| Family and friends can visit you when they like | |
| Remain part of your local community | |
| Fully flexible and bespoke care that can be adapted as your needs change | |
| Support available day and night |
Trinity Homecare provide ‘Outstanding’ rated nationwide live-in care
We have been providing our high-quality live-in care service trusted by families across England for over 25 years. Our multi-award-winning nationwide live-in care is focused on enabling independence and enriching lives, so that people can stay safely and happily in the comfort of their own home. Families benefit from reassurance and peace of mind that their loved one is receiving the very best care provided by a dedicated team of carers.
If you have any questions about arranging care, simply get in touch with our helpful and knowledgeable care team.
Arranging nationwide home care with Trinity is straightforward.
Simply follow these five steps:
- Call our care team
- Undergo a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your care needs and arrange a care assessment
- After the assessment, a plan of care is created
- A well-suited carer is found and placed
- Care can be adapted at any time
- A well-suited carer is found and placed
- Care can be adapted at any time
