Combating Loneliness One Step at a Time
We all know that being active is good for us, and this is especially true as we age. Regular exercise can help older people stay healthy, energetic and independent, and even fight off loneliness.
Studies show that people over 65 who regularly exercise are healthier and less likely to develop serious long-term health conditions than those who don’t. But many older people spend an average of 10+ hours each day sitting or lying down, and this inactivity comes at a cost - increasing their risk of obesity, falls and heart disease.
And let’s not forget the benefits of exercise for mental health! Movement triggers the release of “happy hormones” which helps to improve mood and reduces your risk of developing mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
At Link Visiting, we know how important it is for older people to remain active in order to stay healthy and maintain independence. If we don’t stay active, simple pleasures such as walking to the shops, meeting up with friends or going out for day trips become that bit harder. And the less we go out, the more likely we are to experience loneliness and isolation. As a charity which aims to combat loneliness, we’re keen to empower our Link Friends to be as active as they can.
85-year-old Link Friend Ivor was a carer for his wife for many years. Not wanting to leave her alone, he barely left their home. We matched Ivor and his wife with Vivien, a friendly volunteer, who visited them both while they couldn’t get out and about to socialise.
When Ivor’s wife sadly passed away, Vivien encouraged him to try going for walks and spend more time in nature. He now walks around five miles every day - and has even bought himself some Nordic walking sticks! Like many older people who live alone, Ivor found Sundays to be particularly lonely days. So, we invited him along to our Community Kitchen - a chance to cook together and eat together.
We also encourage our volunteers to go out to garden centres or to cafes with their Link Friends during visits. We know that many of our Link Friends lack confidence in getting out and about on their own, so it can be really beneficial to have their volunteer on hand for support. Volunteer Jinty helps her Link Friend Rose keep active by taking her out regularly to the garden centre for a cuppa and for a stroll. Getting out of the house and having a nice chat really boosts her mood.
Volunteer Valerie’s Link Friend struggles with his mobility and doesn’t feel very confident going out on his own. Valerie takes him on short walks after she finishes work and sometimes they go out for coffee together.
As a charity, we're committed to improving the wellbeing of the people we support, and physical wellbeing is just as important as mental wellbeing.
Interested in joining our volunteering family and supporting an older person struggling with? Head this way to learn more >>