Although everyone living on their own is not necessarily 'lonely' and residing within a family does not mean enjoying good social company, with a steady increase in the numbers of very old and frail individuals loneliness is a real problem <p>
If ill and in need of physical care, of course , many turn up - relatives , neighbours, health service people, care givers etc etc but that is only for limited period ; and they all disappear after a few days. It is , of course, not feasible for everyone to come and sit with an elderly housebound individual on a regular basis - they have ther own lives , work and indeed other needy people. So what is the solution? Company and mental stimulation are essential ingredients of a 'healthy' living ; and 'lack of these' do make people sad depressed and unwell - often with a variety of physical symptoms and ailments. <p>
We all are 'running' all the time. This is the feature of ''modern'' living - no one talks to each other . Forget the elderly neighbour , even the younger people have stopped conversing. when at home together - often they all are occupied with i-pad , mobile phone , computers and tele --- husband sending sms to the wife '' darling is the dinner ready?'' The art of conversation is dying!
As for the older people, the fitter ones must get out and about, join clubs , social groups, voluntary work and remain occupied. Many look after young grandchildren , thereby allowing their mothers to go to work and earn money for the family-- the elderly make a huge contribution to the country's economy! <p>
The difficulty is mainly with the dependent and disabled housebound - their minds are working well and are keen on talking to someone. 'Befriending' is an important service ; those with some spare time can visit an elderly person , so long he/she is willing, and just talk to them. The senior pupils could visit their elderly neighbours and 'learn many things from them about what this country was like in their days; perhaps to teach them some computing which would make them more independent '
Such befriending service used to be common in one's own locality - perhaps the environment has changed quite a bit - old neighbours are either dead or moved and the new ones may be somewhat different - not very friendly or interested! Encouraging our 'senior' school pupils to visit the old ought to be one of the way forward --
do think about it....
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