ELDERLY ISOLATION OVERVIEW
​
Social isolation an issue that faces many elderly citizens, especially after they’ve been widowed and are living by themselves. As people age it becomes harder for them to socialise and be active members of society. Lack of regular social contact has been shown to be detrimental to mental health.
As people age it becomes harder for them to socialise and be active members in society. They are often comfortable with their own routine and don't like to involve others or reach out and participate in events or social situations.
This can mean that they become lonely and isolated with very little human interaction and it deteriorates their mental health.
HOW MEALS ON WHEELS HELPS
Meals on Wheels have volunteers and drivers that regularly check in with their clients and make sure that they are doing well both mentally and physically, as well as delivering their meal.
This is very important for many of the clients because in some cases the Meals on Wheels representative provides the only social interaction they might have for that particular day. If the person getting the meals is unwell or needs assistance, volunteers and staff can often help solve problems early, by recommending medical assistance or alerting families and next of kin.
This preventative care component of the service is often over-looked by the public and is exactly what we are trying to showcase in this documentary.
STATISTICS AND RESEARCH
- A study suggests that one third of women and one fifth of men over the age of 65 live alone.
- A survey of 353 people over 65 living in Perth found that 7% reported severe loneliness.
- On a larger scale, in the UK a study of nearly 1000 people found 9% of older people report severe loneliness and a further 30% reported that they were sometimes lonely.
OTHER INFORMATION
​
Meals on Wheels provides an opportunity for people to get involved in their own communities. This is mostly done by volunteering. This grass-roots involvement not only saves money, but is mutually beneficial for all involved, with volunteers often pointing out that they ‘get back more than they give’. See results of Shaping The Future of Volunteering Project for an illuminating look at volunteering.
​
It is important to identify elderly isolation as a major part of what the Meals on Wheels organisation have to deal with on a day-to-day basis.
The role in people’s lives that the workers and volunteers of Meals on Wheels must not be undervalued. They deserve more recognition than they receive.
References: COTA Victoria Working Paper No.1