Lonesome This Christmas ...

While reading Volume 28 (December 18th) of nursing standard. I came accross the feature with the subtitle "What should health and wellbeing boards do to tackle loneliness among older people?" and I read some of the responses & have been thinking about this issue a lot since then. But while at work today I found myself in a conversation I never expected to be in, and it brought to light some issues similar to this that may fall by the wayside when it comes to developing initiatives to tackle loneliness. I was speaking to a man, whom I would say was just below the threshold to be regarded as middle-aged and he wished me Merry Christmas and I wished him the same. But what shocked me is that he then replied with "Well I'll try but it's not much fun on your own" and his eyes started to well with tears, not to the point of crying, but to the extent that I could see he was upset. I thought I would try and cheer him up so I asked what he was going to have for his dinner on Christmas Day. And he described his dinner to me, all in portions for one and all the while his eyes still shimmered from the light catching the tears in them. I went on to say that I'm sure he can find something enjoyable to busy himself with on Christmas day, by perhaps treating himself to a couple of presents - no need to wrap them unless he wishes to - to himself, from himself. He then smiled a wholly honest smile and told me he was going to do just that. I can't deny that I felt a huge pang in both my stomach and my heart when he smiled at me. I felt like I had done something good. Even if he smiled a million more times that day, I'm glad I got to be the reason for one of them.

On a more serious note however, in a time where we are conerned with th health and well being of the elderly in our society, and how they can fall victim to chronic loneliness especially at this time of year, should we not also spare some thought and consideration for those from all age groups and walks of life who also live lonely lives. Which are no doubt made to feel all the more loney at Christmas time. I am not saying we should each invite a stranger to join in withour Christmases but what I am saying is that should we not be making provisions to combat loneliness for everyone and not just the elderly?

It's just a thought really which struck me today when I spoke to this gentleman. I would love to hear  what everyone else thinks on this issue.

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