As we age, staying connected with our family, friends, and communities can become more challenging. Retirement, illness, disability, and difficulty getting around can all play a part. And sadly, Age UK has estimated that there are around one million lonely older people in the UK.
However, the health benefits linked with social connection are huge and can significantly improve a person’s quality of life. Maintaining strong relationships can help keep our brains sharp and boost self-esteem. It can also ward off mental health issues, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, and decrease the risk of conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, and dementia.
With this in mind, you may be wondering what you can do to help an older loved one stay connected. Below, we’ve pulled together six ideas.
1. Make the most of smart devices
Where face-to-face interactions aren’t possible, staying in touch digitally can help to bridge social gaps. And luckily, there are plenty of ways to do this – for example, by engaging with social media, joining online groups and classes, and video calling or emailing friends and family.
From keeping up with current events, managing money through online banking, and accessing health and wellness information, there are plenty of ways getting online can improve people’s quality of life.
Some elderly people may hesitate to stay connected with devices like smartphones and tablets because they feel unsure how to use them, don’t trust them, or are worried about cost and making mistakes.
In this case, you may find it helpful to sit down with your loved one and help them brush up on their digital skills – or enrol them in some more formal digital training, such as that offered by Age UK.
There are also more accessible smart devices with features like larger font sizes and text prompts (rather than icons) that may make it easier for your loved one to get online. For example, you might find it helpful to look into Chatsie* and Easology* phones.
2. Suggest an activity you can do together
One of the best ways older adults can stay connected is by getting involved with regular social activities – something which becomes much easier to organise once your loved one is connected digitally.
However, if your loved one isn’t motivated to get involved in activities on their own (or can’t for other reasons), you could encourage them by doing something together – such as going to a regular class or group. Not only will this allow them to meet new people, but you’ll also be able to spend some quality time together.
What activity you choose is entirely personal. For example, you could revive one of their old hobbies together, allowing them to impart some wisdom, or take a course to learn something entirely new to both of you. You can find plenty of inspiration in our hobbies and activities section.
If your loved one is housebound, or you live far away from them, why not consider joining an online group that meets regularly, such as our Desert Island Discs, Coffee and Crosswords, or Lunch Club over on Rest Less Events?
Volunteering is a great choice of activity because it can provide purpose and encourage the development of meaningful community ties. The shared sense of mission cultivated with fellow volunteers can lead to deeper, stronger relationships. Plus, it can provide a sense of fulfilment and boost self-esteem.
For ideas and to search for roles, head over to our volunteering section.
3. Think about pet adoption
Depending on your loved ones’ situation, adopting a pet can be a great way for them to stay connected – especially if they live alone. Not only can pets give us companionship and unconditional love, but they can also provide routine and reasons to keep in touch with the wider community.
For example, daily dog walking can lead to conversations with other owners or people asking to pet their dog – not to mention the health benefits regular walks can bring. Even activities like going to buy dog food or taking their furry friend to the vet can help foster a sense of connection with the community.
Of course, adopting a pet is a big commitment, so it won’t be right for everyone. However, there are plenty of ways older adults can spend more time with animals (and reap the rewards) without committing to a permanent pet – such as borrowing pets from others.
For more information, check out our articles: 10 benefits of owning a pet and 7 questions to ask yourself before adopting a dog.
4. Find out about befriending services
If you’re concerned that an older adult in your life is lonely or socially isolated, you could look into community projects aimed at helping elderly people connect with others.
For example, some charities offer telephone befriending services that connect people with friendly volunteers for regular chats. If your loved one would rather build a connection face-to-face, some also run in-person befriending services, which may involve volunteers visiting them at home or accompanying them on trips to the cinema or a cafe.
Some charities also host monthly social and activity groups for older adults, which give people the opportunity to connect with others and maybe do some gentle exercise.
Different befriending services are available around the UK, so it’s worth having a look online to see which ones your loved one can access.
5. Offer help with transportation
Lack of transportation is a big hurdle for many elderly people – especially those who no longer drive and live in rural areas with little access to buses and trains. So, to help your loved one stay connected with friends, family, and the wider community, you could consider offering some help with transport.
For starters, you could suggest giving them a lift to a regular club or social event. Not only will this help them maintain connections with others, but the driving time will also give you a chance to spend time together.
However, we understand this might not always be possible. With this in mind, you could look into services that provide cheap or free transport to elderly people. Some charities run door-to-door services that can take older adults to visit loved ones in hospitals and care homes, as well as to shops and healthcare appointments.
Plus, encouraging your loved one to develop their digital skills can make it easier for them to organise their own transport – for example, through ride-hailing services like Uber.
6. Consider looking into the Oddfellows
If you’re keen to encourage your loved one to meet new people – whether in person or virtually – it’s worth checking out the Oddfellows*, a network of friendship groups across the UK. The Oddfellows supports almost 40,000 members across its 96 UK branches, many of whom are retired or older adults. They offer lots of daytime activities, as well as volunteering opportunities.
Their local branches put on free or inexpensive taster events, such as walks, talks, quizzes, and afternoon teas, as well as online open days – to show newcomers the benefits of joining a friendship group. There’s something for everyone, and they’re always ready to welcome new members along.
Plus, every September the Oddfellows put on extra events up and down the country during their Friendship Month.
You can find out more about what your loved one can expect at an Oddfellows social event and request a free information pack below.
Final thoughts…
Connections with friends, family, and the wider community can wane with age – but it doesn’t have to be that way.
In fact, there are plenty of ways we can help the older adults in our lives stay connected – from lending a hand with transport to making the most of smart devices.
For further reading, head over to our healthy mind and care sections.
Have you got any more tips for helping older adults stay connected? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.