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1m Older People Feel Lonely, Says Survey
John Carvel, The Guardian
United Kingdom
March 31, 2005
More than a million older people endure feelings of loneliness and lack of regular contact with younger relatives, according to a survey today from the charity Help the Aged.
A poll it commissioned from NOP World found that 11% of older people saw their grandchildren less than twice a year and 9% of those living alone went more than six months without seeing any relatives.
More than three million older people (36%) feel out of touch with the fast pace of modern life, two million do not feel valued as an older member of society and 820,000 feel cut off from the world around them.
The charity will run a campaign next month, called Help Unite the Generations (Hug), to address loneliness by encouraging more contact in families and neighbourhoods.
Paul Cann, director of policy at Help the Aged, said: "The findings make depressing reading. We far too often shunt older people into the sidings of life, leaving them without enough money, activity, or above all human warmth.
"Our campaign is important because, in addition to raising funds to help with practical solutions, it also aims to unite generations and challenges all our families, friends and neighbours to bring our oldest and frailest citizens in from the cold of our indifference and neglect."
The poll of 1,111 over-65s found that 11% spent last Christmas Day alone.
More than two-thirds do not have any friends under the age of 30 whom they visit or are visited by.
And 19% of those living alone go more than a month without seeing a relative.
Mr Cann said money from events and sales of badges and wristbands during Hug month in April would be used to improve support services for older people to help them continue living independently.
These included SeniorLink, a 24-hour telephone service for use in emergencies and a chat when needed, and SeniorMobility, a community transport scheme to help older people get to community centres.
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