Dementia & Solitude: How Companionship Supports Older Adults at Home in Northern Ireland

Supporting an ageing parent is never simple — and when dementia enters the picture, the emotional load can feel even heavier. Many older adults in Northern Ireland spend long hours alone at home, especially in the afternoon or early evening. For someone living with dementia, that solitude can intensify confusion, anxiety, and loneliness.

Small, everyday moments of human connection make a remarkable difference. That’s where ElderHomeShare comes in — offering friendly, reliable companionship within the home. Although we are new to the North, we bring over 10 years of experience supporting families across the South of Ireland, helping older adults stay connected, safe, and settled at home.

How Solitude Affects Dementia — and How ElderHomeShare Helps

1. Confusion & Anxiety

Long quiet stretches without company can leave an older person unsettled or unsure of themselves.

A home-share companion helps by: Providing steady reassurance, gentle conversation, and a comforting presence throughout the day.

2. Faster Cognitive Decline

Social interaction helps stimulate memory, thinking, and awareness. Isolation does the opposite.

Companionship helps by: Creating natural moments of engagement — a shared cup of tea, conversation, and small tasks done together.

3. Long Afternoons Alone

These hours can feel particularly empty for someone with dementia.

A companion helps by: Being present when the house would otherwise be silent, turning loneliness into connection.

4. Evening Restlessness (Sundowning)

Many families notice their parent becoming more agitated or confused as daylight fades. More information: Alzheimer’s Society UK — https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

A home-share companion helps by: Offering calm support, reducing anxiety, and helping the evening feel safer and more settled.

A Founder’s Perspective

ElderHomeShare grew from real, lived experience. After several years of home-sharing, our founder Saoirse saw how dementia affects daily life — not only for the older adult, but for the family trying their best to support them.

One truth became clear:

A companion can be an emotional buffer for everyone involved.

Coming in with a gentle, healthy distance, a companion often brings:

• patience in moments of confusion

• calm during challenging evenings

• steady support without the emotional strain families naturally feel

This gives older adults comfort — and gives family members space to breathe.

“Connection brings calm. Companionship can ease the quieter moments of dementia at home.”

Building a Simple Support Ecosystem in Northern Ireland

Many families in Northern Ireland blend a few supports together. ElderHomeShare becomes one reliable piece of the puzzle, alongside:

• a home-share companion for a live in reassuring presence

• befriending services through organisations like Age NI

• Personal care and routine from local care providers

• family visits and calls

Together, these create a flexible ecosystem of connection and support, helping an older person remain safely and happily at home.

The Heart of Home-Sharing

Most older adults don’t want fuss — just:

• company

• someone to talk to

• reassurance in the evenings

• a home that feels lived in

• support that feels natural, not clinical

A home-share companion offers exactly that. It’s simple, human support that helps your parent stay at home with confidence — and helps you worry a little less. To learn more about Elder Home Share and if it would be a fit your your loved one reach out today for a friendly discovery call.