Page 4 - William Cape Gardens Newsletter Spring 2019_Final

4 WILLIAM CAPE NEWS, SPRING 2019
Health & Wellbeing

Cheer up the Lonely Day

By Kerry Mann, CEO Cranbrook Care

The 11th July was Cheer up the Lonely Day which serves The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that there
as an important reminder that feelings of loneliness are were 493,000 people aged 85 years and over in Australia
unfortunately a common occurrence for many, in 2017, making up 2% of the population. This group is
particularly senior Australians. So how can we ensure our projected to grow rapidly reaching between 3.6% and
ageing population feels included and cared for? 4.4% in 2066. These figures demonstrate that maximising
the health and wellbeing of our seniors is a public health
Unfortunately, loneliness affects a disproportionate imperative that will become of increasing important over
number of senior Australians and the issue has become time, requiring real solutions that go well beyond home-
much more than an unfortunate situation – it is a serious delivery meals and adding hospital beds. With loneliness
health concern, and one which should be a public health having far-reaching consequences in terms of depression,
priority. While social isolation refers to having minimal mobility and the successful treatment of chronic disease,
contact with others, whether through limited the situation is already putting pressure on health and
opportunity, lack of existing networks, reduced ability to social services in this country and others.
communicate or a lack of awareness of relevant
resources; loneliness is the negative feeling often Obviously not all lonely seniors are looking to move into
associated with social isolation - with actual and retirement residences or aged care accommodation just
perceived social isolation both associated with an yet, but that doesn’t mean we can’t help them feel
increased risk for early mortality. connected and cared for. With many Australians keen to
continue living independently at home, our industry must
While loneliness is not exclusively a problem for our continue to be innovative, and provide personalised in-
ageing population, it is certainly acutely felt by the home services which extend beyond the traditional
elderly, many of whom feel a genuine sense of loss at the services to encompass companionship - all intended to
disintegration of their social lives and decreasing make staying at home simpler, safer, more sustainable –
interaction with busy family and remaining friends – and less isolating. Addressing their social health and
whether caused by being widowed, dealing with minimising loneliness throughout the continuum of care
dementia or an ill partner, personal poor health, should be a primary public health priority – not just for
immobility, having to relocate from their family home policymakers and those in the industry, but for all of us.
and community or poor technological skills which make it
harder to establish new friendships and maintain contact Let Cheer up the Lonely Day serve as a reminder that
with younger generations. nobody wants to grow old alone, or be alone, nor should
they have to.