Post by troyhather on Apr 10, 2018 16:08:19 GMT -5
The reason older women were more likely to live alone was because they lived longer than men.
Melva Howard says many of her clients are women who have lost a husband or partner.
Age Concern's Melva Howard organises volunteers to spend an hour with elderly people throughout the Hutt Valley once a week. She said most of her clients were women who had lost a husband or partner.
She had about 55 clients, but said she had hardly scratched the surface. "A lot of them admit they're lonely and isolated, they want company.
"They say they miss the life that they had ... quite often they'll downsize and move to other areas where they don't know other people."
It could be challenging to convince a person living alone in their twilight years to reach out for help.
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"They're in a mindset, they're blocked off from everything and not looking outside the square ... and once they do, they're away and enjoying life.
"When they get referred to us, they're always so grateful someone has touched base."
Some of the volunteers were themselves elderly, and wanted to give back to the community.
An elderly woman living in Khandallah, who did not want to be named, said she had been living alone since her son moved out in the late 80s, after her husband died in 1982.
She coped with living alone quite well, she believed, but knew other people might find it much more difficult.
"I have two very good sons in Wellington who come in quite frequently and see how I am."
She did not really feel lonely, and had good neighbours she could call on if she needed help.
That was something Howard agreed was crucial to making sure older people living alone weren't left alone.
"Everybody knows somebody on their own, or elderly," she said. "We need to be staying connected to those on their own ... and offer friendship."
Melva Howard says many of her clients are women who have lost a husband or partner.
Age Concern's Melva Howard organises volunteers to spend an hour with elderly people throughout the Hutt Valley once a week. She said most of her clients were women who had lost a husband or partner.
She had about 55 clients, but said she had hardly scratched the surface. "A lot of them admit they're lonely and isolated, they want company.
"They say they miss the life that they had ... quite often they'll downsize and move to other areas where they don't know other people."
It could be challenging to convince a person living alone in their twilight years to reach out for help.
Ad Feedback
"They're in a mindset, they're blocked off from everything and not looking outside the square ... and once they do, they're away and enjoying life.
"When they get referred to us, they're always so grateful someone has touched base."
Some of the volunteers were themselves elderly, and wanted to give back to the community.
An elderly woman living in Khandallah, who did not want to be named, said she had been living alone since her son moved out in the late 80s, after her husband died in 1982.
She coped with living alone quite well, she believed, but knew other people might find it much more difficult.
"I have two very good sons in Wellington who come in quite frequently and see how I am."
She did not really feel lonely, and had good neighbours she could call on if she needed help.
That was something Howard agreed was crucial to making sure older people living alone weren't left alone.
"Everybody knows somebody on their own, or elderly," she said. "We need to be staying connected to those on their own ... and offer friendship."