Friendships help in lonely times
Christmas can be a hard time for many, especially if family or friends are far away. Sue shares her feelings of loneliness, which can be more intense during the holiday season.
Her friendship with Mandy, who she met through the Aged Care Volunteers Visitors Scheme (ACVVS), helps her through any tough day.
“My husband is in care, I live on my own and I was very low. For a while I’ve been coping with loneliness. I think it was suggested to me (to join ACVVS), I said I’d like to try and at first I thought… ah Sue has it come to this! I have to ask for help. Instead of me helping. Because you reach a time in your life, when you’re old and you can’t do things like you used to do, and it’s harder if you’ve got no family.
I value these visits from Mandy… we do a lot together. I reckon if I was a lot younger, I’d apply to be a visitor for someone, because it’s a chance for people to meet.
Christmas time is exceptionally hard for me. I know Mandy will come and see me as soon as she’s back. A lot of people I know are going away, I have been down about it, because Christmas is a family time.
I talk about my loneliness, but I’m not alone feeling lonely. The older you get, you grieve for the young you. I don’t think a lot of people understand, especially younger people. It’s not just getting old and your body aching, it’s that you’re grieving as well. And it’s twice as hard if you’re lonely.
So it’s just a joy when you get someone ringing you and saying “Oh Sue, do you want to go to the botanical gardens and have a beautiful muffin and coffee.” Yes, I do!”
Find out about ACVVS here:
