by best@dmin
5 February 2024 
Bentley Home Care’s befriending service in Dundee offers many advantages for the older adults receiving visits and providing companionship:
- Reduced feelings of loneliness and improved wellbeing
- Stimulating social connection and conversation
- Improved quality of life and mood
- Encouragement to leave the house and stay active
Why Befriending Services Are Needed
Even seniors in good health can experience loneliness over time if meaningful social interaction is lacking. Allowing too many days to pass without company can negatively impact one’s well-being. Therefore, we believe this befriending service plays a vital role in reaching isolated individuals who may otherwise fall through the cracks. With friendly visitors stopping by regularly, we can ensure more of Dundee’s treasured seniors feel cared for and included.
Some key factors that can contribute to seniors becoming isolated or lonely include:
- Living alone with limited family contact
- Experiencing reduced mobility or health concerns
- Transitioning to a new residence or community
- Losing friends or loved ones over time
- Lacking transportation options
Bentley Home Care’s befriending service in Dundee helps address this critical social service gap. The friendly befrienders provide social stimulation that may otherwise be missing for isolated older adults. The service also raises awareness regarding senior isolation as a public health issue that can impact quality of life.
What to Expect from Befrienders
Bentley Home Care thoroughly vets, trains, and supervises its befrienders to ensure high standards of care. Some key qualities and responsibilities befrienders are expected to fulfil include:
Friendly and Caring Manner
Befrienders exhibit kindness, patience, and genuine interest in building rapport. They are good listeners offering their full attention.
Consistent Reliability
Befrienders commit to visiting their assigned older adult weekly at a consistently scheduled time. Ongoing reliability helps build trust and friendship.
Safety Consciousness
Bentley Home Care conducts background checks and provides training to ensure better safety and preparedness. Befrienders are expected to follow all policies and procedures.
Communication with Staff
Befrienders maintain ongoing communication with coordinators regarding any questions or concerns related to their match.
Person-Centered Approach
Befrienders offer companionship tailored to the older adult’s interests, abilities, and preferences. The focus is on understanding the individual’s needs and goals.
Bentley Home Care handles all coordination and matching based on factors such as personality, location, availability, mobility levels and interests to find a good mutual fit between befriender and participating older adults.
Once successfully matched, befrienders commit to visiting their new friends weekly for at least one hour of friendly conversation, activities, or community excursions. These interactions help enrich the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of older locals who have found themselves disconnected or lonely.