As rewarding as it certainly can be to provide care for loved ones, it can also be very demanding and take up a huge amount of your time, putting your health and wellbeing at risk – which, in turn, impacts your ability to provide the care and support your friend or relative needs.
One issue that you should take seriously in your role as an unpaid carer is loneliness, as it can be a very isolating endeavour if you’re not careful… and it can also be difficult to tell if you’re lonely in the first place.
If you’re concerned, ask yourself if you’ve been experiencing a lack of energy for a while, or if you have trouble focusing. Insomnia may become a problem, as can feelings of hopelessness and self-doubt.
Physically, you might experience actual aches and pains, and a loss of appetite, while craving feelings of warmth and cosiness (manifesting in the form of hot drinks, baths, wrapping up in blankets and clothes, and so on).
How to tackle loneliness
Get in touch with your local carer service to find out how to access support in your community. You may find that there are groups you can join to meet people in similar situations, allowing you to share your concerns and worries with those more likely to understand.
And, of course, you can also talk to friends and family about the pressure you’re under and how it’s taking its toll. If they know how you feel, they may be able to offer you additional support – or, at the very least, give you a regular opportunity to talk through your emotions and discuss what’s going on.
You might also find it useful to have a carer’s assessment carried out so your local council can determine what level of support you need.
It might be that you need to take a break if you haven’t had one for a while and this is where respite care really comes into its own, something that your council may contribute towards if you’re eligible.
Carer breaks give you time away from your responsibilities as an unpaid carer to go on holiday or to take the time you need to focus on other areas of your life, safe in the knowledge that the person you care for is being well looked after.
Loneliness Awareness Week is taking place in June this year, running between the 9th and 15th, so now’s the perfect time to think about how you’re feeling and what changes you could make this year.
The aim of the awareness campaign is to reduce stigma around what is a perfectly natural human emotion.
So, if you have been feeling lonely and have been keeping it to yourself, just know that there’s no shame in acknowledging your feelings and talking them through with other people.
You might be surprised at the level of support you receive as a result!
