"We want people to more than just survive" - pleas for social activities for elderly people in Leeds to resume despite COVID as effects of loneliness and isolation hit hard

The chief executive of Age UK in Leeds has called for communities to look out for each other and for the city to speed up plans for a more integrated transport system which would open access to more social opportunities.

Elderly people are already one of the groups most at risk of loneliness and isolation, but the effects of coronavirus and lockdown have compounded that.

In the second day of a Yorkshire Evening Post report into loneliness, experts have called for more of a balance between managing the risks of coronavirus, but, also the physical and mental wellbeing of people.

It comes as Age UK started to hold social events again after restrictions had started to lift - only to see Leeds made the subject of a local lockdown last week amid rising cases.

Isolation

Iain Anderson, chief executive, said: “We have hosted some events and have more planned. One of the people that went was talking to a staff member and said they had not been involved in any social activity for two years, some had not been out since March. It is a familiar story - for some it is not a new phenomenon but it has been more prevalent for some people.

“There are people who have not crossed the threshold for six months and were just about to start to. We have been working with them and encouraging them to undertake simple tasks outside their home and concerns about local lockdown have meant that people that were on the cusp of getting back to some degree of normality are withdrawing again.”

Roland Marchant, 82, is a widower after the death of his wife seven years ago. He lives alone in Wortley and has dementia. While he enjoys the support of a loving family, he also used to thrive on the lunch clubs, activities and trips he used to go on two or three times per week that were planned by the city’s neighbourhood networks, such as Armley Helping Hands and Bramley Elderly Action.

But since these were stopped and his usual routine disrupted, his family say they have seen a rapid decline in his well being. Mr Marchant, who used to be a printer at the Yorkshire Post as well as running an off licence and a milk round, has always led an active life until recent years.

His son Jason told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “When this happened, everything went into lockdown and we noticed very quickly that it was affecting him mentally, he became withdrawn and did not seem himself.

“We all do as much as we can but we have had to get some further care and have home help. They come for an hour, tend to his needs and make sure he has eaten and go again but that is still not enough.

“Last week I said ‘how are things’ and he normally says ‘not bad’ and I make a cup of tea. This time he said ‘just usual, I feel really lonely’. It is heart-breaking to hear and I feel so sorry for people that don’t have family.”

Plea

Jason says it is hard to explain to his father why he is no longer going on the social outings and believes the government should be looking at ways to reinstate them.

He said: “Sometimes he forgets where he is going but knows he is going somewhere. We will go round and he says ‘where are we going’ and you have to say we are not going anywhere and have to explain again and again.

“I think the government is doing everything that it can but unfortunately these restrictions are affecting people like my dad. I think day centres can get away with face visors and don’t think it would be a big problem, but I am not an expert.

"Nobody knows how long this will go on for. We have got to find ways of carrying on. We can’t just stop things. This is an area they do need to look at and soon.”

Moving Forward

Mr Anderson has a meeting later this month with the council and public health to discuss the impact of COVID in relation to social isolation.

“It is very much encouraging local communities to watch out for each other and be aware of older neighbours and what their needs may be without being too intrusive. That is going to be particularly challenging throughout the winter periods.

“The challenge for us, as a city centre based service, is that access to these things (social activities) is problematic because of concerns about public transport. There has been a conversation in Leeds about more integrated transport. If that could be accelerated so there is access to safe transport for older people to access support groups or activities, in a safe environment, that would be beneficial. You can understand why they don’t want to go on a bus and can’t afford taxis. They want to have the ability to be mobile and active but transport is a big barrier.”

The Leeds Older People’s Forum had also been working on a programme of events to take place throughout October which also sees the International Day for Older Persons.

They include dance through the decades from the 1920s to 2020, an interactive arts project at home and painting at home.

While these events, albeit online, were vital during lockdown, they will be just as important as we move into winter.

Rachel Cooper, the organisation’s chief executive, said: “Look ahead to winter and people are hit harder - they find it harder to go out because of the risk of accidents, cold, slippery, dark nights, perceptions of crime.

That has been compounded by people being in for a long time. It affects strength, balance and confidence becomes an issue.

“People are in these jobs because they love working with older people and very much believe in them being able to live the life that they want to and be happy and independent. It is going to be a real challenge going into winter but something that we are gearing up for. We want people to more than just survive.”

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.

For more details on our newspaper subscription offers, click here.

Thank you

Laura Collins