Even the smallest steps towards supporting older adults during the holiday season can make a meaningful difference in the lives of many. The reality is that this year alone, over half a million older people may find themselves spending Christmas day alone. Not only does this lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation, but it can also make it harder for them to access the support services they need to live well.
With this in mind, we wanted to shine the spotlight on some charities across the UK that are ensuring older people stay safe and feel connected to their communities over Christmas. Many of these charities provide vital support services to the elderly and fund vital research throughout the year.
Here are just a few of the charities working tirelessly to support older people at Christmas.
Age UK is a registered charity that provides support, advice and companionship to millions of people every year. Its mantra is ‘No one should have no one to turn to’. A vital component of this pledge is the Age UK Silver Line Helpline (0800 055 6112). It’s a free, confidential helpline providing friendship and support to older people 365 days a year.
Every year the charity makes thousands of phone calls on Christmas Day, ensuring older people across the country don’t have to spend Christmas alone. Phone calls can be scheduled in advance, giving older adults something to look forward to every week.
Older people can use the Age UK Silver Line to talk about:
- Accessing support services
- Getting help after being discharged from hospital
- Coping with bereavement
- Any kind of problem at home
Call handlers try to give callers tools to help improve their immediate situation. They can also help them access local support services, groups and events. Age UK provides a range of services and your gift will go wherever the need is greatest.
Re-engage UK is a registered charity working to reduce loneliness in older people by bringing different generations together in friendship. During the Christmas period, their Community Christmas programme offers older people a weekly chat over the phone throughout December with a friendly volunteer to lift their spirits.
However, Re-engage is active throughout the year and offers many group and one-to-one activities designed to help older people make new friends and expand their social networks. This includes wonderful initiatives like tea parties, call companions and local activity groups.
Christmas is often one of the most challenging times for people with dementia and their loved ones. Over the 12 days of Christmas, the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Support Line receives over 1600 calls from people in distress.
The Alzheimer’s Society’s support for people with dementia and their families extends far beyond just Christmas. Throughout the year, it provides dementia support services, free resources about dementia and funds vital dementia research.
By donating at Christmas or at any time throughout the year, you can help the Alzheimer’s Society continue supporting people with dementia and their families across the UK. For a fun and festive way to participate, take a look at the Alzheimer’s Society’s 12 Days of Christmas Raffle.
For the month of December, Action for Elders provides warm Christmas meals to older people in a friendly environment. Many older people feel anxious, lonely or vulnerable during winter. Enjoying a warm meal in the company of others can help lift their spirits and help them feel connected to their communities during the holiday season.
Throughout the year, Action for Elders provides many initiatives to support older people in the community, including donating electronic tablets so people can stay in touch with their families and free exercise classes so people can stay connected and involved.
Small acts of kindness is a unique, London-based charity that works on reducing loneliness amongst older people through small, thoughtful acts. The charity has been recognised with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Some of their small gift projects include Warm in Winter gift bags, where they distribute up to 10,000 gift bags that help older people keep warm in their homes. They also distribute up to 500 Christmas gift boxes to older people who are alone at Christmas.
Learn more about Small Acts of Kindness and their projects and how you can support the cause during Christmas through donations or volunteering.
Many people from all walks of life turn to the Salvation Army during the holiday season. The Salvation Army works hard to provide food parcels, practical support and somewhere to sleep for people who need support during the holidays and throughout the year.
During Christmas, the Salvation Army distributes hot lunches and companionship to older people living alone and Christmas food parcels to families in need.
The Marmalade Trust brings joy and companionship to people who would otherwise be alone on Christmas Day. Christmas Day lunchtime meal events are held in local pubs and restaurants for those who would otherwise be spending the day alone and would enjoy company.
They also offer a doorstep social visit for people who cannot attend the events due to health or mobility concerns. The doorstep visit with a friendly volunteer is a great way to enjoy the festivities on Christmas Day.
Learn more about these initiatives and how you can get involved or refer a family member or friend to their service.
How to donate safely this Christmas
In a day and age where many donations are made online, it’s important to ensure your money goes where you intend it to. Scammers unfortunately prey on people’s goodwill during the holiday season, but there are steps you can take to support your favourite causes while staying safe.
When making any charitable donation online, keep in mind the following tips:
- Make sure the charity is legitimate by checking the charity name and its registration number on the Charity Commission website.
- You can use the Fundraising Regulator’s online Directory to find out whether a charity is registered.
- Look out for the Fundraising Badge on a charity’s website. The badge means that the organisation you’re donating to has committed to legal, open, and honest fundraising.
- Feel free to contact the organisation and ask for more information. Legitimate charities will be happy to answer your questions.
These are just some of the charities leading the way in helping older people stay as content and comfortable as possible over Christmas. Donating to these causes would, of course, make a massive difference and help older people access the support services they need.
But, even stopping by to check on a nearby elderly resident or calling an older family member could help someone feel less alone during Christmas.
Help ensure your loved one stays fully supported over Christmas by speaking to the friendly team about companionship care and our award-winning home care services.
