Get Started
Help & Accessibility
NAVIGATION
Map
List of Questions
CONTENT
House & Living
Leisure & Mobility
Participation & Employment
Care & Support
Legal Framework
Forum/ Reflexion Tool
Topics related to Care & Support
Risk of loneliness
How to cope with the risk of loneliness?
This module addresses loneliness and aims to show ways of dealing with this risk. Carers of younger adults with care needs and disabilities are faced with multiple burdens and usually have to fulfil family, work and caring responsibilities. As a result, there is little time or resources, if at all, for maintaining a personal social life. Apart from not being able to invest time in this personal dimension, caring for someone brings with it a number of daily challenges and worries. Loneliness comes from the feeling that others don’t care and from the sense of not being part of a community.
Loneliness affects many people and is only gradually being recognised as a major social challenge. Solutions to loneliness cannot be solely individualised; in many areas, structural changes are also needed to provide relief.
How to deal with the feeling of loneliness?
Prolonged loneliness can have a negative impact on physical and mental health. Therefore, it is important to deal with feelings of loneliness.
There are different ways to do so:
- Self-help groups
- Group activities that can be shared with the person you are caring for
- Communities on social media to exchange experiences and support
What is loneliness and how to deal with it?
Feeling lonely is often seen as a common problem in modern societies. Feeling lonely for a long time can lead to obesity, physical inactivity, numerous mental and physical illnesses, Alzheimer, stroke, circulatory disorders, high blood pressure and immune deficiency problems. But what is loneliness exactly and how can this feeling be identified? Use the tool on our learning platform to identify and learn about loneliness as well as solution strategies.
How to deal with loneliness?
Feeling understood, valued, supported and liked is very important for people’s mental and physical well-being. This requires time for social interactions that give the feeling of being understood. In terms of caring for younger people, there is also the challenge that this issue is barely acknowledged in the media. This can lead to an increased feeling of loneliness and isolation. It is therefore important to recognise and address this feeling in order to find suitable solutions. There are various ways to do this:
- Joining self-help groups. Getting together with people who are facing similar or identical challenges can be very helpful. Talking to these people about your worries will make you feel less isolated. Find more information in the topic: Self-help Groups
- Taking advantage of group programmes that can be used together with the person with care needs and disabilities. As time is often very limited due to the demands of caring, it is a good idea to find group activities, such as sports or creative activities, that can be done together with the person needing care.
- Joining communities on social media to socialise. If it is not possible to leave home regularly, the internet can provide access to groups. There are groups on many social media platforms that can enable an exchange of views and experiences. Similar to self-help groups, this can give you the feeling that you are not alone in dealing with the challenges you are facing.
Good Practices
“Integration Project” (City of Bologna)
This project provides recreational, sports and cultural activities designed for people with disabilities, with a focus on social inclusion. Activities promote the direct involvement of people with disabilities and their families, providing opportunities for socialising.
Project “Generations Together”
In some Italian regions, such as Emilia-Romagna, the project promotes socialisation activities between people with disabilities and young people, reducing the social isolation of both age groups.
Buddy Netwerk (Buddy Network) is a professional volunteering organisation to support people who are chronically or severely ill, lonely, or dealing with memory loss.
Eén tegen eenzaamheid (One against loneliness)
“One against loneliness” is an action programme promoted by the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport to reduce loneliness in the Netherlands. Its website contains information for individuals, municipalities, and organisations, as well as tips and links for people to come in contact with each other.
Fietsmaatjes links volunteers with people who cannot ride a bike by themselves. With a specially designed tandem bicycle, they can enjoy bike rides together. This initiative fosters conversation and offers an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and be active. There are currently almost 4,000 people riding these tandem bicycles with one of 3,500 volunteers in the Netherlands.
Initiative GemEinsamkeit is committed to a future in which loneliness in Germany is understood, recognised and dealt with. The aim of the organisation is to promote a culture of empathy, integration and support in which everyone has the opportunity to lead a fulfilled and connected life.
Grupos de ajuda mútua – Portugal Continental [Mutual Support Groups – Mainland Portugal]
Informal caregivers can access self-help or mutual support groups through the Network of Municipalities Caring for Informal Caregivers by contacting their local municipality. Currently, the following municipalities have identified self-help groups: Coruche, Santa Maria da Feira, Amarante, Celorico da Beira, Fornos de Algodres, Gondomar, Oeiras, Ovar, Póvoa de Lanhoso, São Salvador and Santa Maria (Odemira), Trancoso.
Active Recreation (respite) camp for families
Every year, the Lithuanian Society for the Care of People with Mental Disabilities organises an active recreation (respite) camp for families with at least one member with a mental disability.
Resources
Tool: How to make loneliness discussable?
Movisie is an organisation that has developed materials for professionals, volunteers and trainers on how to address loneliness. Its guides include detailed training sessions that offer tools to discuss loneliness in a calm and open manner.
Samen tegen eenzaamheid (Together against loneliness)
Zorg voor beter is an organisation that offers handholds for healthcare professionals to recognise loneliness in clients and how to deal with it.
Self-help groups
Search engine to find a suitable support group.
Online community for caregivers
Online community and exchange platform for caregivers.
List of projects, offers and apps that deal with loneliness.
A solidão e o isolamento social [Loneliness and social isolation]
Explanation from the National Health System (Sistema Nacional de Saúde – SNS) on the concepts of loneliness and social isolation.
Apoio ao Cuidador Informal – Governo dos Açores [Support for Informal Carers – Government of the Azores]
On the Informal Caregiver Support Platform, you can find contact details and office hours for the local office in the Azores. This gives you access to self-help groups and other types of support. Additionally, you can learn about a relief fund that offers caregiver substitutes. Additional link.