Sir, – The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (Tilda) report makes for sobering reading (“Study finds loneliness in older people linked to ‘wish to die’ risk”, News, August 28th). Loneliness in nursing homes is often overlooked because it is assumed that residents have other residents, care staff and visits from family and friends to keep them company. While this may be the case in some instances, it is too simplistic to generalise for all residents. When a person enters long-term care, the links to their community where they had the opportunity to meet up with friends for coffee, participate in active retirement clubs, and so on, are lost.
It is interesting to note from the study that engagement in community activities, including attending religious services, helps to counteract negative thoughts one might have regarding one’s own mortality. Unfortunately, nursing home residents are unlikely to encounter such opportunities. Family visits may also be non-existent, as loved ones may have passed away. The ability to forge new friendships within the nursing home environment can also be problematic as many residents may be impacted by communication challenges, be unwilling or unable to bond with their neighbour and, in the case of those inappropriately placed residents aged under 65 (who have no suitable accommodation options to support their needs), may have little in common with other residents. If we have a genuine desire to break the cycle of loneliness and isolation for older people, we have to be mindful of who our neighbours are. Nursing home residents have not left their communities; they are simply at a different address. There is no reason for residents not to be able to enjoy all of the benefits available to the community at large once those links are re-established. What better place to start than by visiting them? – Yours, etc,
TONY CARROLL,
Dublin 9.