ALTHOUGH loneliness can all too often go unnoticed, there are a few signs to watch out for in older people who may be suffering in silence.

Demeanour and body language such as crossed arms or legs, as well as a keenness to chatter as much as possible when given the chance, are crucial indicators that an older person may be feeling isolated.

Clients who hold their carers’ hands for a prolonged period are often missing human company.

Rick Taylor-Baker, operations and quality manager at Mary Knowles Homecare, in Kidlington, said: “Someone who is lonely will try to cling on to any opportunity for physical contact.”

Mary Knowles has 31 carers and 63 clients in Oxfordshire on its books.

Mr Taylor-Baker said that of the older people in its care, about 60 to 70 per cent could be considered lonely.

He said: “Christmas is an incredibly emotive period for a lot of people. It’s a special event and if people have no one around them it reminds them they are on their own.

“We have extended families now where sons and daughters live 150 miles away and might only visit every three weeks.

“The problem we have got is quantifying loneliness “People have a lot of dignity and to admit to someone that they feel lonely can make them seem vulnerable.”

He added that lonely people have a tendency to not wash or change their clothes.

“Some will look a bit dishevelled, or wear the same dress for a week, or stay in their nightclothes.

“If your wellbeing is down there’s no motivation to look presentable.”

When carers are alerted to the possibility that one of their clients is feeling lonely, Mary Knowles will call for a review and get in touch with family, GPs and possibly social care management.

If left untreated, loneliness can impact on physical health or lead to mental health conditions such as depression.

This Christmas, the Oxford Mail is aiming to raise £5,400 for Age UK Oxfordshire’s Phone Friends service.

Several hundred older people in the county receive a weekly call from charity volunteers for a friendly chat and to make sure that they are all right.

If the target is reached, funds raised will pay for 2,000 phone calls to help keep loneliness at bay.

Mr Taylor-Baker said: “There’s an incredible need for the community to support the community. We need to get back to where we were 20 or 30 years ago.

“The council has budgetary restraints, so groups like Age UK Oxfordshire are where we have to go with these things. We must be able to show support.”

Twenty-year-old Natasha Allen, from Greater Leys, is a carer at Mary Knowles and has taken it upon herself to cheer up one of her clients on Christmas Day.

She said: “After a certain amount of time you notice they want to spend the whole time talking to you, and want to chat rather than have a cup of tea or eat.

“My dad’s cooking a bit more Christmas dinner and I’m going to take it over for her, as she will be by herself, and sit with her and have a bit of pudding.”

“She was over the moon.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP
* Donate to the Lonely this Christmas appeal, which is aiming to raise £5,400 by Christmas to support Age UK Oxfordshire and its Phone Friends service. Text AUKO52 £3 to 70070 to give £3 or visit campaign.justgiving.com/charity/ageukoxfordshire/endloneliness to pledge an amount of your choice.

* Volunteer with Age UK Oxfordshire. Ten new recruits are being sought over the Christmas period to work from Age UK Oxfordshire’s offices in Banbury. There is no set minimum age and Phone Friends can volunteer from just two hours per week. To find out more, e-mail volunteering@ageukoxfordshire.org.uk. 

* If you’re organising a Christmas lunch for neighbours and older people who may not have anyone to share the day with, register it at communitychristmas.org.uk.