As Britons return to lives post-Covid, a care provider is urging people to continue supporting elderly neighbours

With many working at home over lockdown, more time and proximity has meant some neighbours and families have had more community attention and care during the pandemic than previously, leading one care provider to highlight the need for continued support.

Community networks set up during the first lockdown meant some people had more visitors and help with medication and food than before the pandemic. As restrictions ease, Radfield Home Care is worried that this support will now drop off and elderly and disabled people will return to lives of loneliness.

Research carried out by the care provider found that 73 per cent of people aged 60 and over were nervous about the UK’s planned easing of restrictions on 21 June. Fifty-three per cent said they had concerns about infection rates rising when lockdown lifts, while just over 10 per cent were worried about interacting with others and eight per cent feared visiting supermarkets, shops and restaurants.

Alex Green, director of Radfield Home Care, said: “As a home care provider, we have genuine concerns about who will be looking out for older people as life returns to normal. Many of us are now getting back to our workplaces and our busy lives, but older people who’ve had support from family or neighbours may feel even more alone and disconnected as a result.

“For these people, loneliness can have profound effects on physical and mental health, as well as life expectancy. That’s a gap we’re working very hard to bridge, but it’s absolutely essential that the whole of society, including the UK government, plays a part in supporting our older population.”

He added: “I think we need to recognise that a lot of older people have been shielding for such a long time that it’s become the norm and feels safe. It’s understandable that they’d have concerns about getting back out into the community, and it’s important that they take things at a pace that feels comfortable for them.”

Radfield Home Care wants to encourage people to still regularly check in on family members and neighbours through calls, notes and doorstep chats, or perhaps even offer to help collect food or prescriptions if possible.

“It might not seem much, but even the smallest interactions can play a huge role in helping isolated, vulnerable and lonely people to feel more connected,” said Mr Green.

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