Patricia's story
Patricia talks about how her life changed when she fell ill and how the Age UK befriending service helped get her back on track.
If you look after someone who you think might be struggling with feelings of loneliness, let us help you find the best way to support them.
There are many reasons why someone might be feeling lonely. Or that might be no clear reason for why they’re feeling the way they are. A change in their circumstances is likely to cause feelings of loneliness, such as:
But there may not be a reason at all. Someone can still feel lonely despite being surrounded by friends and family.
It can be really difficult for anyone to admit they’re feeling lonely and it can be even harder to ask for help. Pride and independence are important for a lot of us, but these things can feel even more important as we get older. We all go through ups and downs, which can make it difficult to spot a longer-term problem. But there are some clues that could indicate a person is feeling lonely, these include someone:
You may spot signs that someone is lonely before the person you care about does or before they are able to talk about it.
Or you may find it hard to admit that you think someone you care about is lonely. You might not want to think of them as feeling low or you might feel guilty. But recognising someone is lonely can help you start to help them.
Patricia talks about how her life changed when she fell ill and how the Age UK befriending service helped get her back on track.
Some people may be aware they're lonely, but just not know what they can about it. If you suspect someone you know may be lonely, you can help by:
It may be helpful if you point them in the direction of our befriending services, such as Age UK's Telephone Friendship Service and face-to-face befriending at local Age UKs.
When you’re caring for someone it’s easy to overlook your own needs. But looking after yourself is important and can help you manage better with your caring role.
We offer support through our free advice line on 0800 678 1602. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year. We also have specialist advisers at over 120 local Age UKs.
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