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17 views2 pages

about loneliness

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E Sa
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© © All Rights Reserved
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About Loneliness

The terms loneliness and social isolation are often used interchangeably, but
it is possible for people to be isolated but not lonely and vice-versa, and so
clarity about what we are talking about is important. Loneliness is a subjective
state, a response to people’s perceptions and feelings about their social
connections. Loneliness has been defined as “the subjective, unwelcome
feeling of lack or loss of companionship”. Loneliness is an emotion that may
have been caused through evolution to ensure humans remain in close
contact with each other.

Social research over the past few decades has shown that an average of 10%
of older people feel “always” or “severely” lonely.

A distinction is often drawn between social loneliness and emotional


loneliness: emotional loneliness is the absence of a significant other with
whom a close emotional attachment is formed (eg: a partner or best friend);
social loneliness is the absence of a social network consisting of a wide or
broad group of friends, neighbours and colleagues. Friends and family
members as well as those working with older people should be sure which
type of loneliness the person they are trying to help is feeling and be aware of
the individual’s wishes, needs and preferences.

The case for action - Why is loneliness a problem?

Loneliness is a bigger problem than simply an emotional experience.


Researchers rate loneliness as a similar health risk as lifelong smoking, with
links between a lack of social interaction and the onset of degenerative
diseases such as Alzheimers, an illness which costs the NHS an estimated
£20 billion a year. Loneliness has also been linked in medical research to
heart disease and depression.

“Inactivity and isolation accelerate physical and psychological declines,


creating a negative spiral towards premature, preventable ill health and
dependency.”
Report of the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and
Technology on Ageing, 2005.

The scale of the issue

Research over decades has found a fairly constant proportion (6 to 13 per


cent) of older people feeling lonely often or always. Over the same time
period, there has been a growing percentage of older people who sometimes
feel lonely. As populations age, ever more individuals are likely to be lonely.
Recent estimates place the number of people aged over 65 who are often or
always lonely at over one million.
Loneliness and isolation is a major issue for older people across the country:
12% of people feel trapped in their own home
6% of older people leave their house once a week or less
Nearly 200,000 older people in the UK do not get help to get out of their
house or flat
17% of older people are in contact with family, friends and neighbours less
than once a week and 11% are in contact less than once a month.
Over half (51%) of all people aged 75 or over live on their own.

Risk Factors for loneliness


Key risk factors for loneliness include being in later old age (over 80 years),
on a low income, in poor physical or mental health, and living alone or in
isolated rural areas or deprived urban communities.

What are the barriers to participation and inclusion of older people?


Many older people will be able to access events and activities, and will have a
lot to offer in terms of experience, knowledge and skills. However some older
people will experience barriers to joining in, taking part in activities and
sharing their skills, due to either life course events or personal circumstances:
Life course events that can lead to a loss of role and participation include:
● Decline in mental or physical health
● Retirement or loss of work
● Death of partner, friends and family
● Experience of crime
● Becoming a carer
● Relationship breakdown
● Children leaving home
● Family moving away

Personal circumstances:
● Poor transport
● Lack of financial resources
● Non-English speaking
● Fear of crime
● Living alone
● No local services
● Geographical isolation (e.g. rural, deprived area)
● Ongoing poor health
● Gender/marital status – men are more likely to be isolated, but marriage
reduces the incidence of isolation among men
(Sure Start to Later Life)

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