If you are an older person who is finding it difficult to go out and about like you used to, you are not alone.
Research shows that as we age, we can lose confidence to do the things we used to do without thinking twice, like shopping alone, getting from A to B to visit relatives or friends, going for a walk or keeping up with our leisure activities and hobbies.
We take a look at Happy to Help Gateshead's one to one assisted outings service, and we hear from the employees who take people out, to see the difference that services like this can make. If you or a loved one needs some help to go out, we ask the questions that you might be looking for answers to.
Here's some of the questions we ask Happy to Help Gateshead...
Why Do We Lose Confidence in later life?
Staying at home during the coronavirus outbreak has helped to keep the most vulnerable people in our society as safe as possible. But staying at home for long periods of time has also led to new challenges, or worsening of existing ones:-
Mobility might be more difficult than it was when we were more active and going out
Wellbeing might have suffered due to feeling isolated from our usual communities, and from seeing few or no people face to face for a prolonged period.
After a lengthy period of isolation, whether that be during the Covid safety measures or during recovery after illness or injury, some people have never felt more ready to get back out there and do the things they love, and see everyone they have missed.
Others find it more difficult.
Both our physical and mental health can influence our feelings of positivity, motivation and confidence, so it’s not surprising that many people feel reluctant to go out alone just now. Some find it really difficult to ask for help, or admit that they need support. Others know that once they take that first step to getting out and about again they’ll feel great, but find that first step the biggest, and hardest, to take.
What is an assisted outings service?
An assisted outings service provides people with one to one support to leave the house and go where they'd like or need to go.
Happy to Help Gateshead have supported hundreds of older people and people with disabilities to go out with confidence and support, and most importantly, a trusted friend. Some use the service to regain the ability to go out alone, and once they’ve achieved this they no longer need support. Others use it long-term to help them to do the things they need and love to do by having an arm to lean on or someone to chat to while they’re out.
Key Features of Assisted Outings Services
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Flexibility - people can use the service regularly or as and when needed
Available any weekday morning or afternoon
Book from 1 to 4 hours
The choice to go where you wish or need to go
Companionship from home and back again
No contracts to sign
Have the same wonderful Happy to Help Gateshead companion each time you go out, for added peace of mind
Why do people use it?
There are so many reasons why people might want or need an assisted outings service...
they might not have anybody to go out with during the day if loved ones live away or work at the times a person would most like to go out
many people really like to get out and about, and simply want some pleasant company for the outing
people might want practical support, to carry bags or to help put shopping away when they get home for example
it gives peace of mind to loved ones and carers that their relative is getting out and about or attending important appointments
it helps those who have lost their confidence to go out alone, perhaps after a period of staying at home, or after a fall for example. It is reassuring to have an arm to lean on when needed
traveling can be an issue for many people if they have mobility problems, lack confidence to use public transport, struggle to read timetables or feel unsure about where and when to get on and off the bus or train.
What are the Benefits?
It can be daunting and frustrating when you want or need to go out but you can't or don't want to go alone.
People tell us that the assisted outings service gives them something to look forward to and seeing a trusted and familiar face on a regular basis helps to keep isolation and loneliness at bay. Clients have used the service to join a social group where they have made life long friends. An assisted outings service can be empowering too, and helps people to feel independent, and it is important to them that they feel less anxious. Some clients don't want to ask loved ones to take them out on errands, and would rather enjoy their time together doing nice things instead of getting various tasks done.
Others tell us about the confidence they regain, and improved mobility by getting out for a walk or being more active in general. They feel better about attending appointments regularly, like getting their hair cut, or visiting the optician or doctor, knowing that they have someone to take them.
Who is it for?
Assisted outings services are for people who cannot go out alone for many different reasons. Happy to Help Gateshead's service is for people aged 65 and over, who do not need personal care, but need companionship and practical support to leave the house to do the things they enjoy, run errands, and improve their wellbeing.
Who goes out with the client?
Happy to Help Gateshead have a team of dedicated assistants who take people out. The coordinator, Liz, is an expert at matching clients with assistants, and knows who will get on with who the best, to ensure that clients have a lovely time when they go out. The assistants are fully trained, insured and have their own safe transport, which can accommodate folded down wheelchairs too for those that need them.
Clients always go out with the same assistant too, either on a regular or as and when basis, so that they get to know each other well.
Where do people go using an Assisted Outings Service?
With 1-2-1 support, the possibilities are endless! Here are just some of the ways that customers use the Happy to Help Gateshead service:-
· Leisure Activities
· Restaurants
· The beach/coast
· Garden centres
· Cinemas or theatres
· Museums
· Walks in the park
· Banking and Post Office Visits
· Shopping Centres, Supermarkets
· Appointments (GP, Hospital etc)
· Church services
· Optician and dentist appointments
· Hairdressers/barber
· Help with packing if moving home
· Escorting to see family or friends
· Visits to other local places of interest
Here's how five of our clients have used Happy to Help Gateshead's Assisted Outings Service recently....
The trip out had lifted her spirits
Mrs A was ready to see me when I arrived for our first outing. Her daughter popped in to see me before we headed out and told me that Mrs A had felt a little bit anxious this morning. I spent a few minutes reassuring Mrs A before we headed out. She felt calmer, and although still a little nervous, she was okay. Mrs A wanted to go to the M&S food hall so off we went. We had an absolutely lovely time. Mrs A was relaxed once we got there. Once we had finished the food shopping we decided to head home for a cuppa. I put Mrs A’s shopping away and we sat chatting for a while. Mrs A told me that the trip out had lifted her spirits, she’d had such a nice time. We both really enjoyed today. Mrs A is looking forward to our next adventure and it was great to hear her say how much today meant to her.
A special visit
Mrs E was waiting outside for me, we headed straight out. Last week, she mentioned that her and her late husband used to go to South Shields and that she hadn’t been there in ages. So that’s where we decided to go. I was a little concerned that Mrs E might get upset once at South Shields, but she was fine. They used to go to The New Crown restaurant together, so we headed there for a cuppa. We had such a lovely chat and it was lovely to listen to Mrs E talk so fondly about her late husband and all the places they used to go. A special visit.
A little walk around the block
Mrs D was canny today. She was sitting in the kitchen when I arrived. I made her a cup of tea and we did the shopping list before heading out. When we got back with the shopping, Mrs D’s hot meal delivery had arrived so she tucked into it while I put the shopping away. We discussed going out for a little walk around the block next week to build up her confidence, and she was really excited about this and looking forward to it. We’ll still get the shopping done, but we plan to go somewhere closer to home so that we can fit a walk in too.
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Today was an absolute pleasure
Mrs B was waiting outside when I arrived, she was looking forward to our day out so much. We headed to a shopping centre and once there, we had a slow walk around. Mrs B picked up a bit of shopping and we stopped for a cup of tea. She enjoyed it so much, it was great to get out and about and she cant wait for next week. We get on so well, today was an absolute pleasure.
A drive to the coast
While Mrs C was getting ready to go out, we decided to have a drive to the coast as it had been a very long time since she’d been. Mrs C took her stroller with a seat so she had the best of both worlds, walking while she could and sitting when she felt tired. We had a cappuccino and such a lovely couple of hours. Mrs C really enjoyed the drive out. We had a good laugh and a catch up, and such a nice time. She is really looking forward to our next trip out.
If you or someone you know needs some support at home in Gateshead, or one to one support to go out, the experts at Happy to Help Gateshead are always available to answer any questions, arrange a home visit or to help in any other way that they can. Call the team on 0191 4785919, or email liz@teamwork-dt.co.uk.
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