Look Out For The Elderly
We can all feel lonely at some point in our lives, but for some older people they may not see or talk to people for days, even weeks at a time, writes Tracy Hargreaves
At this time of year, the weather is bad, it’s constantly dark and we struggle to leave the house, so it’s doubly important to check up on those who are elderly, may be vulnerable and lonely this winter.
The Silver Line, was set up by Dame Esther Rantzen in November 2013 and provides three functions to support older people: a sign-posting service to link them into the many, varied services that exist around the country; a befriending service to combat loneliness and a means of empowering those who may be suffering abuse and neglect. It is the only national confidential and free helpline for older people open every day and night of the year.
The charity is based in Blackpool and in October 2016 it insourced its helpline operations to help with cost savings, to serve as ‘Silver Line Friends’ to help deliver its friendship services.
To date the helpline has taken over 1.6 million calls – currently averaging 10,000 per week (more than one call per minute) – with around 80 per cent of callers every month phoning for the first time. 90 per cent of callers live alone with over half of them saying they have literally no-one else to speak to.
And demand for the service keeps rising, especially over the winter period. October was the busiest month at the helpline since it launched four years ago, and there were three thousand more calls made in November compared to the same month last year.
Dame Esther Rantzen said: “In 2016 we saw an overwhelming surge in daily call volumes to the helpline, which exceeded our most generous projections and left us unable to answer around a third of calls made over the Christmas holidays. Heartbreakingly, this meant over 5,000 callers were left entirely on their own when they desperately needed someone to talk to at a time when most of the nation spends enjoying the company of friends and family.
“As demand for our services continues to grow, all the signs are that, sadly calls will increase this year, but in order to cope with the anticipated spike in call volumes, and avoid a repeat of last year’s scenario, we urgently need donations to cover our rising running costs.”
Loneliness can cause serious damage, physically and mentally, as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and more dangerous than obesity. Loneliness is a complex and usually unpleasant emotional response to isolation and can include anxious feelings, yet whilst most of us go about our daily business going to our jobs or looking after families, we often forget about those who are alone and have no one to talk to.
So, take some time out for a brew and a chat and make sure you look out for the elderly.
Text ALONE to 70660 to donate £5
www.thesilverline.org.uk
