According to news out this week, the number of over 50s suffering from loneliness is set to reach two million by 2025/26.
One of the knock-on effects of this is that lonely people have 64 percent increased change of developing dementia and are more prone to depression.
The good news is, that Barnet Homes had their most successful Silver Week ever. Events were on throughout the week and ensured that the over 50s community get support all year round.
The role that sheltered and supported housing has in creating communities within the accommodation they manage, with the wider community, is vital. Throughout Barnet Homes’ Silver Week there was a heavy emphasis on healthy living.
Residents at Gadbury Close had a healthy lifestyle coffee morning. Gadsbury Close residents are also part of a very popular art club, and they entered some of their masterpieces into a borough-wide competition.
Gadsbury Close also had a Health and Wellbeing Day. The Disability Foundation gave residents free therapy treatments followed by a lovely lunch. An afternoon of dance and exercise to Music was held by GLL Barnet and a Bingo afternoon was provided by Mencap. Staff and residents at Gadsbury also managed to raise £650.00 combined for The Disability Foundation, Macmillan and Mencap.
Christchurch Close residents enjoyed an ‘food taster’ morning with Wiltshire Farms, who deliver frozen meals. A lifeline for older people who can’t always get out.
Wimbush House also celebrated Silver Week with activities all capped off with a fish and chip lunch.
Silver Week is the brainchild of the charity SilverLine. Dame Esther set up SilverLine, a free helpline, in 2013 to help older people combat loneliness.