CARE AFFAIRS

Once upon a time, when it was common to have a chat with the neighbour over the back fence, or to meet up at the Senior Citizens Centre, CWA or church groups, the subject of loneliness seldom came up.

It’s now a different story, and one highlighted during the isolation of the Covid lockdowns.

“Loneliness is as bad for health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and is as important as the food we eat, and yet it remains an often-overlooked part of aged care,” says Inclusee CEO Rachael Cook.

“You’d never dream of not feeding somebody but not everybody understands that loneliness really is bad for you.”

The value of bringing elderly community members together was first recognised in 1976, when service clubs Rotary, Lions and Quota opened the Golden Years Seniors Centre in Nundah for activities such as ballroom dancing and arts and crafts.

As needs changed, the organisation, then known as Aurous, grew and evolved.

Inclusee now takes a 21st century approach to dealing with loneliness and although dancing has been replaced by devices, the result is the same.

“It takes a while for people to adapt, but social connection can be delivered in any way,” Rachael says. “Loneliness is a condition that is situational and can be experienced even if you are surrounded by people.”

Inclusee’s Connect2One program involves allocating a volunteer “visitor” to a participant aged 65-plus or 50-plus for First Nations people for a regular conversation.

They meet online, one-on-one every week, usually for one or two hours, although this can be extended, to talk about anything that comes to mind, whether it’s hobbies, memories or musings.

Or as Rachael describes it, “think a chat with a neighbour over the back fence, an old school conversation between friends.”

But there’s nothing old-school about Inclusee’s approach.

“The participant lets us know what they want such as cultural needs, language, gender and interests,” Rachael says.

“They might, for example, say that prefer a lady who is older with an interest in gardens and books. We get a good understanding of what is wanted in a friend and put them together with a volunteer.”

There is a database of volunteers, all of whom have had background checks, to find the perfect match. Volunteers, aged 18-90, come from a broad demographic and diverse backgrounds from around Australia.

Participants receive a tablet on loan that has been programmed so they can have a chat at the push a button. The device is already connected to the internet and set up ready to go and if there’s no internet handy, there’s a SIM to do the job.

It’s kept very simple for the user to gain access, but there is also a weekly Learn2Tech digital mentoring program for those keen to learn more – how to send photos, talk and Skype to family and friends, and do online shopping.

There’s also a Connect2You virtual community centre where participants and volunteers can drop in for a chat whenever it suits and the latest is Interest2Enjoy, where groups with common interests meet.

A club of about four or more people can be created for anything that might interest them – books, armchair travel, pets, trivia. Google maps and videos add to the experience.

Inclusee has more than 300 participants and that’s growing. The only stumbling block is letting people know that there’s a free program to tune in for a chat. Visit inclusee.org.au or call 1800 287 687.

So let the sun shine in

The health benefits of sunshine have become lost as UV awareness has grown, but what are we missing out on? KENDALL MORTON looks at why sunlight was a popular remedy in days gone by.

Sunlight was once seen as a valuable medical treatment, especially before the advent of antibiotics in the 1930s.

You may recall scenes from the old movies showing tuberculosis patients resting in the sun in the European alps.

Sanatoria were a popular place for healing in from the 18th century onwards.

These health retreats were situated at high altitude locations as the intensity of UV light increases by 4 per cent for every 300m of elevation above sea level. This sunlight therapy was effective in treating tuberculosis.

So why does simple sunlight help with healing? Researchers suggest two factors.

First, sun exposure causes the body to produce nitric oxide. This powerful gas widens your capillaries, improving circulation. More blood, nutrients and oxygen can then travel through the body.

The second factor is that sun exposure produced Vitamin D. This vitamin is important for general immunity. It has preventative and curative functions.

While the age of sanatoria has passed, sunlight therapy may have other applications for brightening health prospects today. It can be a relaxing treatment that’s available literallyright at your back door. Here are a few more reasons to give the sun a second look: SUNLIGHT IS ANTI-BACTERIAL – In his book The Healing Power of the Sun, Richard Hobday states that sunlit hospital wards have less bacteria in them than dark wards, and patients recover faster.

He adds that infection from hospital stays is the fourth most common cause of death after heart disease, cancer and stroke. So, when you have a choice at home or in hospital, choose a sunny room. SUNLIGHT HELPS BONE GROWTH – Without adequate sunlight your body cannot make its own Vitamin D. Regular time in the sun boosts Vitamin D for the body to absorb calcium and phosphorus from diet to strengthen bones. SUNLIGHT HAS ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIONS – This can aid many health conditions such as psoriasis and cardiovascular health. The production of nitric oxide lowers blood pressure. SUNLIGHT HELPS WITH SLEEP – A dose of morning sunlight will help you sleep better because melatonin production will be activated earlier in the evening. The mood lifter, serotonin is triggered by the sunshine. It is converted to melatonin when you turn out the lights at night. EXERCISE CAUTION – People react differently to sunlight. It is not a panacea. Also, some medications can cause you to be sensitive to sunlight. New scar tissue should not be exposed to the sun as it can burn and result in a darker scar.

Before you start a sun regime, you may want to check with your doctor. Kendall Morton is Director of Home Care Assistance.

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