{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-blog-post-js","path":"/blog/companionship-as-care-why-loneliness-is-a-health-issue-too/","result":{"data":{"ghostPost":{"html":"

When families think about care, they usually think about the practical things: help with washing and dressing, medication, meals, mobility, safety. All of it matters enormously. But there is another part of care that is easy to underestimate, and it may be just as important to your loved one's health as any of it.

Companionship.

It is tempting to think of company as a pleasant extra, the nice-to-have that sits alongside the \"real\" care. The evidence says otherwise. Loneliness is not just sad. It is genuinely bad for our health, and easing it is one of the most valuable things good care can do.

Loneliness in later life is common, and often hidden

\"\"

A great many older people are lonely, and the reasons are painfully understandable. Friends and partners pass away. Children move to other cities. Mobility declines, and getting out becomes harder. Driving stops. Hearing or sight loss makes conversation more difficult. Slowly, a life that was once full of people can grow very quiet.

What makes it harder still is that loneliness often goes unspoken. Older people rarely announce it, and many would hate to feel they were complaining or being a burden. So it can hide in plain sight, even from a loving family.

Loneliness affects physical health, not just mood

\"\"

Here is the part that surprises people. Loneliness and social isolation are consistently linked with poorer physical health, not just lower spirits. Research has associated them with a higher risk of heart disease and stroke, of depression and anxiety, of cognitive decline and dementia, and even with a shorter life. Some researchers have compared the impact of chronic loneliness on mortality to that of well-known risks like smoking.

It is worth being careful here: these are associations, and the relationship is complex, since poor health can cause isolation just as isolation can worsen health. But the broad picture is well established and consistent. Company is not merely pleasant. It is protective.

There are practical knock-on effects too. A lonely person may eat less well, move less, skip medication, drink more, or let a health problem go unmentioned. Someone with company tends to eat better, stay more active, keep their mind engaged, and have someone who notices when something is not right.

Why this matters so much for care

\"\"

Once you see loneliness as a health issue, it changes what \"good care\" means. A person can be perfectly clean, well-fed and safely medicated, and still be quietly withering from a lack of human contact. Meeting only physical needs is not, in the end, the whole of care.

This is a real limitation of short, task-focused visiting care. When a carer comes in for half an hour, does what needs doing and leaves, the tasks may be complete, but the day is still long, and the house is still empty. The rest of those hours are spent alone.

Why live-in care is different

\"\"

This is where live-in care offers something that other forms of care simply cannot: constant, genuine human company.

A live-in carer is not a visitor. They share the home and the day. That means someone to talk to over breakfast, someone to watch the news with, someone to share a cup of tea and a memory with, someone who takes an interest in your loved one's stories and listens to them properly. It means a companion for a walk, a partner for a crossword, someone to help them get out and see friends, and to keep them connected to family.

And it means someone who is there, quietly and reliably, so the house is never empty and the day is never silent.

Real companionship is more than presence

\"\"

True companionship is not just occupying the same room. It comes from a genuine relationship, which is exactly why careful matching matters so much. A carer matched thoughtfully to your loved one's personality, interests and background can become a real friend, someone whose company is a pleasure rather than merely a comfort.

That is why we take such care in matching, considering not only skills but interests, temperament and shared ground. Time and again, this is what turns a professional arrangement into a genuinely warm relationship, and it is the thing families most often tell us they are grateful for. You can read more in our guide to deciding on the right carer for you.

Companionship helps families, too

\"\"

There is another benefit worth mentioning. When a loved one has good company every day, families often feel their own worry ease. The nagging thought of Mum sitting alone in a silent house, hour after hour, is one of the hardest things for families to carry, particularly those who live far away. Knowing that someone kind is with her, chatting and keeping her company, brings a peace of mind that is hard to overstate.

Company is care

So if you are weighing up care for someone you love, do not think of companionship as the soft, optional part of the package. It may be one of the most powerful things you can give them: something that lifts their spirits, protects their health, keeps their mind engaged, and makes their days worth looking forward to.

Good care feeds people, keeps them safe and helps them stay well. Great care also makes sure they are not alone.

If you would like to talk through how live-in care could bring both support and companionship to someone you love, we would be glad to help.

Book a free care advice call, or give us a ring on 020 3970 9900.

This guide offers general information and is not medical advice. If you are worried about a loved one's physical or mental health, please speak to their GP.

","html_sections":{"json":[{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"When families think about care, they usually think about the practical things: help with washing and dressing, medication, meals, mobility, safety. All of it matters enormously. But there is another part of care that is easy to underestimate, and it may be just as important to your loved one's health as any of it.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Companionship.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"It is tempting to think of company as a pleasant extra, the nice-to-have that sits alongside the \"real\" care. The evidence says otherwise. Loneliness is not just sad. It is genuinely bad for our health, and easing it is one of the most valuable things good care can do.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"H2","innerHtml":"Loneliness in later life is common, and often hidden","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":"loneliness-in-later-life-is-common-and-often-hidden"}},{"tagName":"FIGURE","innerHtml":"\"\"","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":"kg-card kg-image-card","id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"A great many older people are lonely, and the reasons are painfully understandable. Friends and partners pass away. Children move to other cities. Mobility declines, and getting out becomes harder. Driving stops. Hearing or sight loss makes conversation more difficult. Slowly, a life that was once full of people can grow very quiet.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"What makes it harder still is that loneliness often goes unspoken. Older people rarely announce it, and many would hate to feel they were complaining or being a burden. So it can hide in plain sight, even from a loving family.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"H2","innerHtml":"Loneliness affects physical health, not just mood","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":"loneliness-affects-physical-health-not-just-mood"}},{"tagName":"FIGURE","innerHtml":"\"\"","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":"kg-card kg-image-card","id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Here is the part that surprises people. Loneliness and social isolation are consistently linked with poorer physical health, not just lower spirits. Research has associated them with a higher risk of heart disease and stroke, of depression and anxiety, of cognitive decline and dementia, and even with a shorter life. Some researchers have compared the impact of chronic loneliness on mortality to that of well-known risks like smoking.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"It is worth being careful here: these are associations, and the relationship is complex, since poor health can cause isolation just as isolation can worsen health. But the broad picture is well established and consistent. Company is not merely pleasant. It is protective.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"There are practical knock-on effects too. A lonely person may eat less well, move less, skip medication, drink more, or let a health problem go unmentioned. Someone with company tends to eat better, stay more active, keep their mind engaged, and have someone who notices when something is not right.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"H2","innerHtml":"Why this matters so much for care","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":"why-this-matters-so-much-for-care"}},{"tagName":"FIGURE","innerHtml":"\"\"","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":"kg-card kg-image-card","id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Once you see loneliness as a health issue, it changes what \"good care\" means. A person can be perfectly clean, well-fed and safely medicated, and still be quietly withering from a lack of human contact. Meeting only physical needs is not, in the end, the whole of care.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"This is a real limitation of short, task-focused visiting care. When a carer comes in for half an hour, does what needs doing and leaves, the tasks may be complete, but the day is still long, and the house is still empty. The rest of those hours are spent alone.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"H2","innerHtml":"Why live-in care is different","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":"why-live-in-care-is-different"}},{"tagName":"FIGURE","innerHtml":"\"\"","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":"kg-card kg-image-card","id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"This is where live-in care offers something that other forms of care simply cannot: constant, genuine human company.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"A live-in carer is not a visitor. They share the home and the day. That means someone to talk to over breakfast, someone to watch the news with, someone to share a cup of tea and a memory with, someone who takes an interest in your loved one's stories and listens to them properly. It means a companion for a walk, a partner for a crossword, someone to help them get out and see friends, and to keep them connected to family.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"And it means someone who is there, quietly and reliably, so the house is never empty and the day is never silent.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"H2","innerHtml":"Real companionship is more than presence","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":"real-companionship-is-more-than-presence"}},{"tagName":"FIGURE","innerHtml":"\"\"","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":"kg-card kg-image-card","id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"True companionship is not just occupying the same room. It comes from a genuine relationship, which is exactly why careful matching matters so much. A carer matched thoughtfully to your loved one's personality, interests and background can become a real friend, someone whose company is a pleasure rather than merely a comfort.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"That is why we take such care in matching, considering not only skills but interests, temperament and shared ground. Time and again, this is what turns a professional arrangement into a genuinely warm relationship, and it is the thing families most often tell us they are grateful for. 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Great care also makes sure they are not alone.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"If you would like to talk through how live-in care could bring both support and companionship to someone you love, we would be glad to help.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Book a free care advice call, or give us a ring on 020 3970 9900.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"This guide offers general information and is not medical advice. If you are worried about a loved one's physical or mental health, please speak to their GP.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}}]},"title":"Companionship as care: why loneliness is a health issue too","primary_tag":{"name":"Safety, health and wellbeing"},"slug":"companionship-as-care-why-loneliness-is-a-health-issue-too","published_at":"15 Jul 2026","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#f8f8f8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/3c646/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/28380/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/6e54a/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/3c646/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/76f01/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/bd81f/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/1c6e9/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1335}}},"primary_author":{"bio":"Communications and Marketing Lead","name":"Jamie Shie","profile_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#383838","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/4ce69bfa95322a3b177d8c8b946cc319/2e55b/Screenshot-2026-06-22-at-09.28.27.png","srcSet":"/static/4ce69bfa95322a3b177d8c8b946cc319/5fbde/Screenshot-2026-06-22-at-09.28.27.png 132w,\n/static/4ce69bfa95322a3b177d8c8b946cc319/6672c/Screenshot-2026-06-22-at-09.28.27.png 264w,\n/static/4ce69bfa95322a3b177d8c8b946cc319/2e55b/Screenshot-2026-06-22-at-09.28.27.png 528w","sizes":"(min-width: 528px) 528px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/4ce69bfa95322a3b177d8c8b946cc319/df6d7/Screenshot-2026-06-22-at-09.28.27.webp 132w,\n/static/4ce69bfa95322a3b177d8c8b946cc319/5bda5/Screenshot-2026-06-22-at-09.28.27.webp 264w,\n/static/4ce69bfa95322a3b177d8c8b946cc319/3155f/Screenshot-2026-06-22-at-09.28.27.webp 528w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 528px) 528px, 100vw"}]},"width":528,"height":466}}}}},"relatedPosts":{"nodes":[{"title":"Sleep problems in older adults: causes and home-based solutions","slug":"sleep-problems-in-older-adults-causes-and-home-based-solutions","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#e8e8e8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/3c646/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/28380/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/6e54a/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.jpg 1000w,\n/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/3c646/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/76f01/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.webp 500w,\n/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/bd81f/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.webp 1000w,\n/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/1c6e9/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1335}}},"excerpt":"A bad night's sleep is miserable at any age. In later life, it can be more than that. Poor sleep drains energy and lifts anxiety, but it also raises the risk of falls, clouds memory and concentration, lowers mood, and makes existing health problems harder to manage. And when an older person is awake and restless at night, the whole household often loses sleep with them.\n\nThe encouraging news is that sleep problems are rarely inevitable, and there is a great deal that can help. Here is what tends","published_at":"15 Jul 2026"},{"title":"Companionship as care: why loneliness is a health issue too","slug":"companionship-as-care-why-loneliness-is-a-health-issue-too","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#f8f8f8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/3c646/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/28380/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/6e54a/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/3c646/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/76f01/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/bd81f/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/1c6e9/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1335}}},"excerpt":"When families think about care, they usually think about the practical things: help with washing and dressing, medication, meals, mobility, safety. All of it matters enormously. But there is another part of care that is easy to underestimate, and it may be just as important to your loved one's health as any of it.\n\nCompanionship.\n\nIt is tempting to think of company as a pleasant extra, the nice-to-have that sits alongside the \"real\" care. The evidence says otherwise. Loneliness is not just sad. ","published_at":"15 Jul 2026"},{"title":"Dehydration in older adults: a commonly missed risk at home","slug":"dehydration-in-older-adults-a-commonly-missed-risk-at-home","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#080808","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/91fce8d9f4cba941c106264f7e668d8a/3c646/AdobeStock_191953491--1-.jpg","srcSet":"/static/91fce8d9f4cba941c106264f7e668d8a/28380/AdobeStock_191953491--1-.jpg 500w,\n/static/91fce8d9f4cba941c106264f7e668d8a/6e54a/AdobeStock_191953491--1-.jpg 1000w,\n/static/91fce8d9f4cba941c106264f7e668d8a/3c646/AdobeStock_191953491--1-.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/91fce8d9f4cba941c106264f7e668d8a/76f01/AdobeStock_191953491--1-.webp 500w,\n/static/91fce8d9f4cba941c106264f7e668d8a/bd81f/AdobeStock_191953491--1-.webp 1000w,\n/static/91fce8d9f4cba941c106264f7e668d8a/1c6e9/AdobeStock_191953491--1-.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1335}}},"excerpt":"Of all the risks facing an older person living at home, dehydration is one of the most common, one of the most serious, and one of the easiest to miss entirely. It rarely announces itself. It creeps up quietly, and by the time it becomes obvious, real harm may already have been done.\n\nThe good news is that it is very preventable, once you know what to look for. Here is why older adults are so vulnerable to dehydration, the signs that are so easily missed, and what genuinely helps at home.\n\n\nWhy ","published_at":"15 Jul 2026"},{"title":"UTIs and sudden confusion in older adults: why it is often mistaken for dementia","slug":"utis-and-sudden-confusion-in-older-adults-why-it-is-often-mistaken-for-dementia","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#e8e8e8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/efa871d5c6693a842238062af134172f/3c646/curated-lifestyle-kb0dClMo6CI-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/efa871d5c6693a842238062af134172f/28380/curated-lifestyle-kb0dClMo6CI-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/efa871d5c6693a842238062af134172f/6e54a/curated-lifestyle-kb0dClMo6CI-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/efa871d5c6693a842238062af134172f/3c646/curated-lifestyle-kb0dClMo6CI-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/efa871d5c6693a842238062af134172f/76f01/curated-lifestyle-kb0dClMo6CI-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/efa871d5c6693a842238062af134172f/bd81f/curated-lifestyle-kb0dClMo6CI-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/efa871d5c6693a842238062af134172f/1c6e9/curated-lifestyle-kb0dClMo6CI-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1335}}},"excerpt":"It is a scene that plays out in families all the time. A parent who was perfectly sharp last week is suddenly muddled. They do not know what day it is. They seem agitated, or unusually drowsy. They say things that make no sense, or seem not to recognise where they are.\n\nThe family's heart sinks, because there seems to be only one explanation. Dementia. It has finally arrived, or taken a sudden turn for the worse.\n\nBut very often, that is not what is happening at all. And knowing the difference i","published_at":"15 Jul 2026"},{"title":"Winter safety for older adults","slug":"winter-safety-for-older-adults","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#180808","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/e415430833396a9c1bb3078f6b1a5ed1/94182/getty-images-uSPGbVTywck-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/e415430833396a9c1bb3078f6b1a5ed1/26cfb/getty-images-uSPGbVTywck-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/e415430833396a9c1bb3078f6b1a5ed1/826b9/getty-images-uSPGbVTywck-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/e415430833396a9c1bb3078f6b1a5ed1/94182/getty-images-uSPGbVTywck-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/e415430833396a9c1bb3078f6b1a5ed1/921bf/getty-images-uSPGbVTywck-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/e415430833396a9c1bb3078f6b1a5ed1/323e8/getty-images-uSPGbVTywck-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/e415430833396a9c1bb3078f6b1a5ed1/9181c/getty-images-uSPGbVTywck-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1331}}},"excerpt":"Winter has its own quiet beauty, but for older adults the colder months bring some very real risks. Cold weather is harder on the ageing body than many people realise, and it comes bundled with slippery pavements, dark afternoons, and the seasonal bugs that tend to hit older people hardest.\n\nWith a little preparation and care, though, these risks can be managed, and your loved one can stay safe, warm and well right through to spring. Here is how to help them through the winter.\n\n\nWhy winter is r","published_at":"09 Jul 2026"},{"title":"Long-distance caregiving: staying involved when you live far away","slug":"long-distance-caregiving-staying-involved-when-you-live-far-away","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#080808","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/ed4975169b26131f671120539a26c6b8/f19bc/centre-for-ageing-better-DkDOb9u_1cA-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/ed4975169b26131f671120539a26c6b8/26cfb/centre-for-ageing-better-DkDOb9u_1cA-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/ed4975169b26131f671120539a26c6b8/1b035/centre-for-ageing-better-DkDOb9u_1cA-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/ed4975169b26131f671120539a26c6b8/f19bc/centre-for-ageing-better-DkDOb9u_1cA-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/ed4975169b26131f671120539a26c6b8/921bf/centre-for-ageing-better-DkDOb9u_1cA-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/ed4975169b26131f671120539a26c6b8/b7ef5/centre-for-ageing-better-DkDOb9u_1cA-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/ed4975169b26131f671120539a26c6b8/c9c6a/centre-for-ageing-better-DkDOb9u_1cA-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1333}}},"excerpt":"Caring for a loved one when you live far away, in another city, or even another country, comes with its own particular ache. There is the worry of not being there, the guilt that quietly follows you around, and the frustrating sense of being out of the loop, never quite sure how your parent or relative is really doing.\n\nIf you are a long-distance caregiver, you carry a great deal, often silently. The reassuring truth is that there is a lot you can do to stay genuinely involved, and genuinely rea","published_at":"09 Jul 2026"},{"title":"Heatwave safety for older adults","slug":"heatwave-safety-for-older-adults","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#f8f8f8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/619608ba6e7edd1afbecb2eeab78c382/f19bc/a-c-iVfZ6sA_xhg-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/619608ba6e7edd1afbecb2eeab78c382/26cfb/a-c-iVfZ6sA_xhg-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/619608ba6e7edd1afbecb2eeab78c382/1b035/a-c-iVfZ6sA_xhg-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/619608ba6e7edd1afbecb2eeab78c382/f19bc/a-c-iVfZ6sA_xhg-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/619608ba6e7edd1afbecb2eeab78c382/921bf/a-c-iVfZ6sA_xhg-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/619608ba6e7edd1afbecb2eeab78c382/b7ef5/a-c-iVfZ6sA_xhg-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/619608ba6e7edd1afbecb2eeab78c382/c9c6a/a-c-iVfZ6sA_xhg-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1333}}},"excerpt":"When the summer sun arrives, it is tempting to think of hot weather as nothing but a treat. But for older adults, a heatwave can be genuinely dangerous. Our bodies become less able to cope with heat as we age, and every summer, hot spells pose real risks to older people's health.\n\nThe reassuring news is that, with a little awareness and some simple steps, those risks can be greatly reduced. Here is how to help an older loved one stay safe, cool and well when the temperature climbs.\n\n\nWhy older a","published_at":"09 Jul 2026"},{"title":"How do we keep your loved one's money safe?","slug":"how-do-we-keep-your-loved-ones-money-safe","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#c8d8c8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/e1f1e7c18c3ea6d71c52652a18e7a478/dbd40/vitaly-gariev-KEBUtOS3yFc-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/e1f1e7c18c3ea6d71c52652a18e7a478/d3119/vitaly-gariev-KEBUtOS3yFc-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/e1f1e7c18c3ea6d71c52652a18e7a478/26b49/vitaly-gariev-KEBUtOS3yFc-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/e1f1e7c18c3ea6d71c52652a18e7a478/dbd40/vitaly-gariev-KEBUtOS3yFc-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/e1f1e7c18c3ea6d71c52652a18e7a478/cd07d/vitaly-gariev-KEBUtOS3yFc-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/e1f1e7c18c3ea6d71c52652a18e7a478/bf95e/vitaly-gariev-KEBUtOS3yFc-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/e1f1e7c18c3ea6d71c52652a18e7a478/d36eb/vitaly-gariev-KEBUtOS3yFc-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1125}}},"excerpt":"Trusting someone to come into your loved one's home sometimes means trusting them around money too, for the weekly shop, perhaps, or a small errand. It is completely natural to want to know how that is handled, and to be sure your loved one's money is safe.\n\nIt is something we have thought about very carefully, and built real safeguards around. These protect your loved one, protect their finances, and protect everyone involved from any misunderstanding. Here is how it works.\n\n\nOnly when it is ne","published_at":"08 Jul 2026"},{"title":"Moving and handling: how our carers keep your loved one safe and mobile","slug":"moving-and-handling-how-our-carers-keep-your-loved-one-safe-and-mobile","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#f8f8f8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/ab21297b081ff715db9be1ff098ded77/81791/getty-images-meSXWwLc11A-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/ab21297b081ff715db9be1ff098ded77/cf2d1/getty-images-meSXWwLc11A-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/ab21297b081ff715db9be1ff098ded77/b3b6f/getty-images-meSXWwLc11A-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/ab21297b081ff715db9be1ff098ded77/81791/getty-images-meSXWwLc11A-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/ab21297b081ff715db9be1ff098ded77/d731e/getty-images-meSXWwLc11A-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/ab21297b081ff715db9be1ff098ded77/993a1/getty-images-meSXWwLc11A-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/ab21297b081ff715db9be1ff098ded77/fe213/getty-images-meSXWwLc11A-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1329}}},"excerpt":"As we get older, the everyday movements most of us take for granted, getting out of bed, rising from a chair, walking to the bathroom, can become harder and, at times, risky. So it is a very natural question for families to ask: can a live-in carer help with this, safely?\n\nThe answer is yes. Helping someone move safely and comfortably, known in care as \"moving and handling,\" is a core part of what our carers do. But how it is done matters enormously, both for your loved one's safety and for thei","published_at":"08 Jul 2026"},{"title":"How do our carers handle medication safely?","slug":"how-do-our-carers-handle-medication-safely","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#e8e8d8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/f19bc/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/26cfb/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/1b035/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/f19bc/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/921bf/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/b7ef5/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/c9c6a/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1333}}},"excerpt":"Of all the things families think about when arranging care, medication is often near the top of the list. Is my loved one getting the right medicines, at the right times? Is it being handled safely? Are they still being treated as an adult who can make their own choices? These are important questions, and entirely the right ones to ask.\n\nManaging medication well is a core part of good care, and it is something we take extremely seriously. Here is how our carers handle it: safely, accurately, and","published_at":"08 Jul 2026"},{"title":"What happens if there is an accident?","slug":"what-happens-if-there-is-an-accident","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#f8f8f8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/0a635e6549d0c7b2da01761722255444/3c646/curated-lifestyle-HbZtBWfrs9Y-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/0a635e6549d0c7b2da01761722255444/28380/curated-lifestyle-HbZtBWfrs9Y-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/0a635e6549d0c7b2da01761722255444/6e54a/curated-lifestyle-HbZtBWfrs9Y-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/0a635e6549d0c7b2da01761722255444/3c646/curated-lifestyle-HbZtBWfrs9Y-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/0a635e6549d0c7b2da01761722255444/76f01/curated-lifestyle-HbZtBWfrs9Y-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/0a635e6549d0c7b2da01761722255444/bd81f/curated-lifestyle-HbZtBWfrs9Y-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/0a635e6549d0c7b2da01761722255444/1c6e9/curated-lifestyle-HbZtBWfrs9Y-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1335}}},"excerpt":"It is one of the worries that sits quietly at the back of every family's mind when arranging care: what if something goes wrong? What if my loved one has a fall, or there is a mistake? It is a completely fair question, and one you should feel able to ask any care provider.\n\nThe honest truth is that accidents can, occasionally, happen, particularly in later life. No one can promise they never will. What truly matters is how a provider works to prevent them, how they respond when something does ha","published_at":"08 Jul 2026"},{"title":"Mental capacity: how our carers respect your loved one's right to choose","slug":"mental-capacity-how-our-carers-respect-your-loved-ones-right-to-choose","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#e8d8c8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/d139ff9867c752946093cf28158312f4/37b92/AdobeStock_84435251-1-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d139ff9867c752946093cf28158312f4/915f2/AdobeStock_84435251-1-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/d139ff9867c752946093cf28158312f4/1db5b/AdobeStock_84435251-1-1.jpg 1000w,\n/static/d139ff9867c752946093cf28158312f4/37b92/AdobeStock_84435251-1-1.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/d139ff9867c752946093cf28158312f4/a5233/AdobeStock_84435251-1-1.webp 500w,\n/static/d139ff9867c752946093cf28158312f4/1dd10/AdobeStock_84435251-1-1.webp 1000w,\n/static/d139ff9867c752946093cf28158312f4/de019/AdobeStock_84435251-1-1.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":2023}}},"excerpt":"As a loved one grows older, or lives with a condition such as dementia, families sometimes find themselves worrying about decision-making. Who decides what is best? And, importantly, is my loved one's right to make their own choices still respected and protected?\n\nIt is a sensitive and genuinely important area, guided both by law and by a deep respect for the person at the heart of it. Here is how our carers approach mental capacity, and how we protect your loved one's right to choose for themse","published_at":"08 Jul 2026"},{"title":"End-of-life care at home","slug":"end-of-life-care-at-home","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#887868","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/caab09f96b549783849fde62488e1c36/3c646/AdobeStock_242427744.jpg","srcSet":"/static/caab09f96b549783849fde62488e1c36/28380/AdobeStock_242427744.jpg 500w,\n/static/caab09f96b549783849fde62488e1c36/6e54a/AdobeStock_242427744.jpg 1000w,\n/static/caab09f96b549783849fde62488e1c36/3c646/AdobeStock_242427744.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/caab09f96b549783849fde62488e1c36/76f01/AdobeStock_242427744.webp 500w,\n/static/caab09f96b549783849fde62488e1c36/bd81f/AdobeStock_242427744.webp 1000w,\n/static/caab09f96b549783849fde62488e1c36/1c6e9/AdobeStock_242427744.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1335}}},"excerpt":"There are few times in life harder than knowing someone you love is approaching the end of theirs. Amid the sadness and the many questions, most families find themselves holding on to one simple, deeply human wish: for their loved one to be comfortable, to keep their dignity, and, wherever possible, to spend their final chapter in the place they feel safest and happiest, at home.\n\nThis guide is here to help you understand what end-of-life care at home involves, how live-in care can support it, a","published_at":"08 Jul 2026"}]}},"pageContext":{"slug":"companionship-as-care-why-loneliness-is-a-health-issue-too","tagSlug":"safety-health-and-wellbeing","feature_image":"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.jpg"}},"staticQueryHashes":["2482565613","267138725"]}