Appeal to help elderly faced with loneliness in Shropshire
Isolation in elderly people is an all year round problem – not just during the winter months.
But Shropshire home care boss Rachael Birchall is on a mission to highlight the importance of companionship in the care of older people this winter.
She will be hosting a series of coffee mornings this month in Shrewsbury for those interested in providing companionship to older people. Those interested in brightening up the lives of older people in the community are invited to any of the coffee mornings in the town.
Ms Birchall said although elderly people tend to feel more vulnerable during the winter months and festive period, loneliness is a year round problem.
"Loneliness is definitely an all year round problem but I do think people tend to feel more vulnerable this time of year, especially once the clocks go back," she said.
"This is the time of year when we do get the most inquiries regarding care but all year round it's difficult for elderly people who are stuck at home and very isolated. It's about breaking that isolation."
Ms Birchall is looking to promote care as a rewarding career, as well as reaching people who naturally gravitate towards voluntary work and who may never have thought of working in care before.
Ms Birchall, who cared for her grandmother before launching her company Home Instead Senior Care in Shrewsbury, Ludlow and Oswestry, more than two years ago, said companionship is an important part of caring.
The coffee mornings are between 11am and 1pm at The Lantern, in Meadow Farm Drive, Sundorne, today; Palmers Café, Shrewsbury Baptist Church, on Friday; Trinity Centre, Church Road, Meole Brace, on November 10; and The Gateway Centre, Chester Street, on November 13. For more details call (01743) 387650.
