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

Community Facilitator level 1

Royal Borough of Greenwich
Scale 5 - £31,524 to £32,931
We are seeking to fill a number of roles to help us deliver our new vision for Health and Adults Services (HAS) Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Personal Advisors

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£38,934 - £40,755
This is a rewarding, challenging and essential role, in our support of young people Leaving Care. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

School Crossing Patrol Officer - Ivy Chimneys School

Essex County Council
Up to £13.00 per hour
School Crossing Patrol Officer - Ivy Chimneys SchoolPermanent, Part Time£13.00 per hourLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Director - Corporate Services

Teignbridge District Council
£93,688 - £100,549 per annum
Develop your career with a forward-thinking authority based in an attractive part of South Devon. Newton Abbot, Devon
Recuriter: Teignbridge District Council

Operational Support Officer

North Yorkshire Council
£29,064 - £31,537
We are recruiting Operational Support staff within our growing Housing Standards Team. Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner