Esther Rantzen’s heartbreaking lockdown plea: Elderly – pick up the phone if you’re lonely | UK | News (Reports)

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Dame Esther, the founder of loneliness helpline The Silver Line, emphasised the importance of care home visits as many of the older generation feel uncomfortable using new technology. On Radio 4 yesterday she said: “I think loneliness can strike at any age, but the difficulty we have as we get older is we depend on other people and seeing other people face-to-face. Many older people are not comfortable with the consolation some of us get from technology, like Zoom or Facebook.

“They depend on visits from loved ones, especially if they live in a care home.

“I have a friend whose husband has been for six months in a care home and she gets desperately lonely as she used to spend every evening with him, and she’s anxious about him and alone herself.

“I would implore people who have friends, neighbours or family or who are lonely, to pick up the phone, it’s a very potent way of bringing people together. Real companionship for that conversation we all need so badly.

“Especially if lockdown happens again, I would implore people to pick up the phone.”

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When asked about the importance of physical contact, Dame Esther said: “Human beings are meant to touch each other. Especially as grandparents, a cuddle from a grandchild is so important.

“My grandson took my hand and I just thought isn’t that a fantastic feeling. It just makes your heart lift.

“I remember talking to an old lady who told me, ‘Every morning I get up get dressed and sit on my bed waiting for death.’ “That’s an appalling terrible suspension of all communication she was used to, both touch and voice.

“We have to be aware that mental health has a real effect on physical health. Loneliness also costs lives.”

Many in care homes have been unable to see their loved ones for many months and campaigners say those suffering from dementia are feel they have been abandoned.

And restrictions are likely to get tighter.

Under the Government’s social care action plan for winter, visits to care homes will be blocked in areas under local lockdown to protect residents.

Caroline Abrahams, the charity director at Age UK, said: “Sadly, while hugs may be temporarily off the table we can all do something to help.

“We can all still look out for older friends, neighbours and relatives and make sure they’re coping.

“Speaking to them on the telephone or writing them a note or a letter to ask if they need any shopping or prescriptions picked up can all help, or simply just to say that you are thinking of them.”

Kate Shurety, the executive director of the Campaign to End Loneliness, said: “While it’s great to see so many of us using technology to keep in touch, millions of older people struggle to access the internet and digital technology.

“We have to think about how we can provide care and support for them.”

• If you are lonely, call the Age UK Advice line on 0800 678 1602 or The Silver Line on 0800 470 8090.

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