Discover More About Embracing Age

"Research suggests that older people in care homes are twice as likely to feel lonely as older people living in the community."

You might wonder, "But how can they be lonelier when they live with many other residents of the same generation?" Doris has an Embracing Age Volunteer visit her weekly at her care home and says, "You can be lonely in a crowd." Some residents don't receive many visitors, so having someone make time to see them and discuss things they wouldn't normally talk about within the care home really means a lot to them and undoubtedly makes all the difference.

Embracing Age is a charity directed by Tina English and was set up in 2015 as a local project in the London Borough of Richmond. Today, they have projects in Northern Ireland & the UK and aim to start 30 more projects in the coming years. They aim to connect as many churches with care homes as they can to provide companionship to elderly care home residents who are in much need of a friend. Tina is passionate about making a difference to care home residents' lives and making them feel valued in society.

What do volunteers do with care home residents during their visits?

During a weekly visit to their assigned resident, volunteers will provide friendship and assistance to their elderly friends. Many elderly people struggle with modern technology, so often their befriender will be able to assist them with developing their digital skills so that they can stay connected with their family more effectively.

Befrienders may also read out loud to their new friends, particularly if their eyesight has deteriorated over the years. This can be very enjoyable for someone who once enjoyed reading a book or the local newspaper.

Exercise is very important for health, no matter what age you are, yet many elderly residents don't often get a chance to venture outside due to requiring assistance. For residents who enjoy the outdoors, going for a gentle stroll to get some fresh air with their befriender can be greatly appreciated and mood-boosting.

Elderly care home residents can often become bored and stuck for things to do at a care home. Therefore, they may enjoy playing a board game with their befriender. Not only do games keep the mind active, but they also encourage social interaction.

Enid's experience of being an Embracing Age Volunteer

Enid has always had a soft spot for older people, so when she heard about the opportunity to become an Embracing Age volunteer, it was a no-brainer for her.

She visits the lady she has befriended weekly for as little as an hour and can see how this time means a lot to her. Enid says she was petrified during her first visit, having never been to a care home before and not knowing what to expect. Now that she has been going for a few weeks, she says that it just feels like going home as she can pop her head around the door, and everyone knows her.

The lady she has befriended enjoys watching TV programmes, so Enid watches the same ones so that they can have a weekly catch-up about them. She also cuts clippings from newspapers to bring with her so that they can discuss those, too. Enid discovered that her lady loves salmon sandwiches, so she takes some along with her for them to enjoy together with a coffee.

With a busy life, Enid describes her visits to the care home as an 'oasis of peace,' which she looks forward to. She loves that she gives her lady something to look forward to, and seeing her face light up when she walks in is incredibly rewarding. She has gained a friend from being an Embracing Age Volunteer and would recommend that anyone get involved.

What training do volunteers receive?

All Embracing Age volunteers receive training including:

Active listening - Many residents in care homes may not receive frequent visitors, so having someone to listen to them can be a true gift. Volunteers will receive training on active listening, enabling them to be the best companions possible. Active listening involves fully concentrating on the speaker, understanding their message, responding appropriately, and remembering what has been said.

Boundaries & confidentiality - Volunteers will be trained on what the boundaries are during their visits to elderly care home residents. Confidentiality and consent will also be fully covered by the training provided.

Dementia & communication challenges - Training will be provided on how to effectively communicate with individuals who have dementia. It is common for people living with dementia to struggle to find the right words or to repeat themselves frequently. Additionally, some individuals may have hearing difficulties, which can complicate communication. This training will equip volunteers with the knowledge and skills needed to address various communication challenges.

Safeguarding - Safeguarding refers to the actions taken to promote the welfare of vulnerable elderly individuals and protect them from harm. Volunteers will receive training on this subject, ensuring they know how to keep care home residents safe during their visits.

Ongoing support will be provided to churches to make sure that:

• 2 references are taken from each volunteer.
• All volunteers are DBS checked prior to visiting care home residents. Either the church or the care home can arrange this after discussing with the Care Home Manager.
• That there is an appropriate induction process for volunteers who enter a care home.
• That there is always a person that both the care home and volunteer can contact at Embracing Age.

There are approximately 17,500 care homes in the UK and around 50,000 churches. If you are a member of a church and would like to make a huge difference in elderly care home residents' lives, or if you are a care home that would like to get involved, Embracing Age would be very interested in hearing from you. Don't hesitate to contact them today!