Finding the time to talk is the simple solution to a silent epidemic affecting 1.2 million older people. Emma Pritchard reports
Think back to the last time you spoke to someone. Was it earlier today or yesterday? Or was it longer? For half a million older people in the UK, to go almost a week without seeing or speaking to another person isn’t uncommon. It’s why, according to Age UK, two fifths of all older people – around 3.9 million – say their main source of company is the television .
“Loneliness is a silent epidemic across the UK,” say Rachel Reeves and Seem Kennedy, co-chairs of the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness, launched last year to raise awareness of the problem and to find solutions.
And, although loneliness can affect people at any age – and is, indeed, on the rise in younger generations – it is those in the 65+ age bracket that remain of particular concern. In part because almost half of all people aged 65 and over have no idea where to seek support for loneliness (and tend not to talk about their feelings, in the first place, even to family and friends), and also, because rural populations are ageing above the national average putting more people at potential risk. The number of people aged 75+ and living alone, for example, has increased by almost a quarter in the past 20 years.
Walking alone
Loneliness often stems from isolation. According to a 2012 report by Age UK, a quarter of people aged 60 and over cite a shortage of public transport to be their “biggest challenge”, followed by a lack of shops and difficulty getting broadband access in their area.
Other triggers include bereavement, a drop in income, and chronic illness – all of which can make it harder to access your community.
“The triggers for loneliness often happen in quick succession in later life,” says Laura Alcock-Ferguson, executive director of the Campaign to End Loneliness. “And the routes out of loneliness for older people are potentially more challenging.”
Sick of being lonely?
One of the main impacts of loneliness is depression – which, in itself, can make a person feel even more cut off – and instances grow by around 50-60% in rural areas. But, numerous studies have highlighted that the negative effects of isolation go much deeper than that.
A review by Brigham Young University concluded that loneliness is as bad for you as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and worse for you than obesity. It can also increase your risk of death by 29%. In essence, loneliness is a vicious and difficult-to-break circle.
Showing community spirit
Fortunately, there are many groups nationwide that are doing their bit to encourage people to connect with their neighbours. The Campaign to End Loneliness (campaigntoendloneliness.org), for example, is a network of organisations and individuals around the UK, tackling isolation through research, policy and community action. Close to home, Surrey Community Action has helped to establish more than 100 good neighbourhood schemes, offering services such as transport, shopping and social activities from exercise classes to bingo, in communities throughout the county.
“The impact of loneliness can be devastating and while there is no quick fix, there are reasons to believe that we can all do something to change things for the better,” says Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK. “A simple thing like saying hello and having a chat can brighten up an older person’s day and do more good than most of us would ever guess.”
What you can do to help someone feeling lonely?
Check in on older friends and neighbours – invite them over for dinner or a cup of tea, or pop by every now and then for a chat.
Organise an informal neighbourhood gathering such as a picnic, BBQ or street party to give people, whatever age, an opportunity to meet and form connections and, for those feeling lonely, a way out from their feelings.
What you can do if you are experiencing loneliness yourself?
Seek support from an organisation such as the Jo Cox Loneliness Commission (jocoxloneliness.org), Independent Age (independentage.org) and The Silver Line (thesilverline.org.uk), which offers a free and anonymous national helpline for older people, 365 days a year.
Connect with likeminded people through dedicated online forums such as Gransnet (gransnet.com) and community good neighbourhood schemes, including those organised by Surrey Community Action – surreyca.org.uk.
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