Helping older people during the pandemic

Mental Health Week May 18th – 24th is about kindness and we at Healthwatch want to focus on the phone friends, from Age UK South Glos, who are chatting to older people to help them through this pandemic.

Age UK SG says many older people may now face long periods of time completely alone as some care services have been cut back. But thanks to their telephone befriending service, older people can have a much-needed chat or someone to answer their questions to prevent anxiety during this difficult time.

Healthwatch is keen to ensure everyone, particularly those who are shielding, has the help and support they need and our Area Lead Maisy Griffiths is asking people to tell us their experiences of how the virus has affected their health and care services. Please go to the share your views section of our website.

Feeling alone and anxious? Age UK South Glos is there for you

Phone support line is 01454 411707 Monday to Friday 9.30pm-1pm.

In 2017 Age UK SG volunteers visited 200 older people who would otherwise be alone.

An Age UK South Glos spokesman said: “If you would like to become a telephone befriender or need someone to give you a call regularly then choose option 2 and if you aren’t sure then choose option 4 and one of our team will be happy to help.  There are also some tips on our website and on our newsletter including some exercises to keep both your mind and body healthy.”

See more here https://www.ageuk.org.uk/southgloucestershire/our-services/coronavirus-covid-19-and-older-people/