Mark Whitehead 10 March 2016

300,000 elderly people suffering from chronic loneliness

The Government must provide more support for older people suffering loneliness and restore the 'crumbling' social care system, campaigners have demanded.

Age UK says it is already known that about one million older people receive no care support and new research shows about 300,000 of them are suffering chronic loneliness.

The new analysis comes as Age UK handed in a petition to 10 Downing Street calling on the Government to do more to help prevent and tackle loneliness among older people.

The charity says loneliness not only makes life miserable but also undermines an older person’s resilience and makes them more susceptible to illness.

It says combatting loneliness more effectively would not only improve their quality of life but also ultimately help reduce demands on the NHS.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: 'These statistics are a challenge to government policy and they are a wake-up call for the rest of us too.

'They mean there are a lot of very lonely and isolated older people around us, and we all have a responsibility to do more to help them.

'Government should fund more local support for lonely older people and restore our crumbling social care system.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Graduate Trainee Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

North Yorkshire Council
£25,183 - £30,559
Could you help us deliver Electric Vehicle infrastructure to support this new transformation mode of transport. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Contracts and Strategy Officer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£41,442 - £44,331
Royal Greenwich is on the up! Having achieved a 3.8% increase in our recycling rate this year Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Senior Developer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£52,584 - £69,068
Royal Greenwich is a vibrant borough, with a rich history and diverse community. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

SEND Operations Assistant - 2 year FTC

Essex County Council
£25081 - £26679 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
SEND Operations AssistantFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 to £26,679 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Welfare Benefits & Money Advice Caseworker

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band E SCP 18-25 (£30,559 - £35,235 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a skilled individual to join our Welfare Rights Team Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Linkedin Banner