In this strange year, I’ve seen a pandemic of loneliness, the young, the old, the rich, the poor, no one is exempt.
Last week on one of my visits, a patient told me that she hadn’t seen her grandchildren since February, initially her son would deliver shopping to the front door, then stand at the top of the drive to talk. More recently he would come into the house but always kept well away from his mother. Large, slow tears trickled down her cheeks as she said they would normally hug and he would plant a kiss on her cheek.
Now, more than ever, it is important we stick together and help each other through these difficult times. How can we help each other? Here are some suggestions:
Send a card or letter. Write about a special memory of time you spent with that person. Nothing says I care more than someone making the effort to write to you.
Texts are nice but nothing cheers me up more than hearing a human voice. Pick up the phone and make time for a chat. Have a hunt for two or three bits of fun information to chat about. When no one is going anywhere, this will help the conversation flow and stop you from dwelling on the lockdown.
Check to see if they need help? It could be anything from phoning and making an appointment with a doctor to getting shopping, some wonderful support groups have been set up in our areas to help out.
Cook them a meal or cupcakes, make up a bouquet of flowers, drop off a book or a magazine. Perhaps their lawn needs cutting? Or leaves need to be swept up?
Kindness improves our quality of life in the community. It brings people together. Doing good for others feels good. Showing kindness to others is just as rewarding as receiving it from someone else.
Remember, we are always here if you need to talk.
TRMP team
