940,000 Older People Are Often Lonely in the UK, And We're Not Doing Enough About It

When it comes to the health crises facing many elderly people in the UK, loneliness is often an overlooked cause. Not only does it lead to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, it can also have a detrimental impact on physical health. Perhaps the most shocking point to consider is that 940,000 older people in the UK say they are often lonely, piling further pressure onto an already struggling NHS.

In this article, we’ll explain the scale of loneliness in the UK and what it means for the overall health of elderly people. We’ll also discuss the steps that you can take to prevent older people in your family from becoming isolated.

Britain’s silent epidemic: the scale of loneliness

Loneliness amongst older people is sky high, with 940,000 people over 65 often lonely. This equates to 7% (1 in 14) of the demographic. Even more worryingly, 9 in 10 people who say they are ‘often lonely’ also class themselves as unhappy or depressed, according to Age UK.

Elderly people are especially vulnerable to loneliness for reasons including the death of a spouse, family moving away and mobility issues preventing them from leaving the house. Plus, modern lifestyles are very much rooted in the digital world. Elderly people may find it difficult to stay connected with friends, family and social groups using devices that they feel uncomfortable with.

Feelings of loneliness tend to have peaks and troughs throughout the year amongst the UK population. Winter time is a particular struggle for many, not just because of the shorter days and colder weather. The stress and social pressure of the festive season are a major contributing factor for loneliness, with 1 million older people feeling more isolated at Christmas than any other time of year.

Loneliness amongst the wider population

Feelings of loneliness aren’t just limited to those over 65, with 47% of UK adults experiencing some form of loneliness. Young people (aged between 16-29) are greatly affected by loneliness too, with increased working from home, high-mobility lifestyles and too much time spent on devices being major causes.

Financial strains and cost-of-living pressures are also contributing factors, with many younger people unable to take part in social activities because of a lack of funds.

There is a lot of understandable emphasis on loneliness amongst the elderly. However, 16-29 year olds are more than twice as likely to feel lonely, often or always, than those above 70.

The health effects of loneliness

Loneliness can have severe effects on the mental and physical health of elderly people, manifesting itself in a variety of ways. Mental health struggles, such as depression and anxiety, are common symptoms.

These will often trigger other issues, including poor hygiene and balance issues caused by a lack of motivation for physical activity and movement. It can also lead to a poor diet, or a lack of food consumed on the whole, as trips to the supermarket may feel too overwhelming or difficult.

The negative cognitive impact of prolonged isolation can increase the risk of dementia by 25% and accelerate the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Loneliness also raises the risk of strokes by over 30%, while increasing the risk of heart disease by 29%.

These health issues tend to result in the elderly person requiring more medication, leading to complicated prescriptions and polypharmacy risks. Consuming multiple medications increases the risk of adverse drug reactions, as well as accelerating age-related decline in kidney and liver function.

How to combat loneliness amongst the elderly

While loneliness is constantly tightening its grip on the elderly population, there are ways in which it can be combatted. Encouraging elderly people to join social groups, usually focussed around an activity. These not only offer the elderly person a chance to socialise with other people of their age group, but also provide them with purpose and belonging.

While some groups will charge a fee to join, there are plenty of volunteer and community-led groups across the UK. Low-impact fitness classes such as yoga or keep fit not only offer a social opportunity, but also a way to get vital exercise and reduce diseases and accelerated frailty linked to staying idle for too long.

Support and regular checkups from friends and family are also important, especially with many elderly people going more than a week without talking to loved ones. This isn’t always easy, with busy lives and distance often getting in the way. However, technology makes it simpler, especially if the elderly person has access to a tablet or smartphone.

Technology is rarely a second language for the elderly like it is for the younger generations, which may require the implementation of simple-to-use devices. For example, SureSafe’s personal alarms allow for two-way communication through a wearable device, so the elderly person will always know there’s someone there to help if needed.

In addition to the above solutions, there are a range of charities and organisations for elderly people to lean on if they’re feeling lonely. Age UK’s Silver Line Helpline offers 24/7 confidential support over the phone for elderly people.

How SureSafe personal alarms can help fight elderly loneliness

When an elderly person feels lonely and isolated, they will often be anxious nobody would be there to help if they fall or become ill. However, with a wearable personal alarm, your elderly loved one will gain access to 24/7 monitoring, so if something were to happen, help would be a button click away.

Our alarms contain two-way communication features, allowing the elderly person to easily communicate with a monitoring team or family member. Devices also make use of automatic fall detection technology, which will immediately alert a response team if the elderly person becomes incapacitated.

Crucially, this gives elderly people the confidence to live socially. Whether it’s going to the shops or meeting up with friends, their personal alarm gives them a safety net without taking away their independence.

With our devices, both you and your elderly loved one will have the peace of mind that they aren’t alone. For more information, call our experts on 0808 303 4541, get in touch via our live chat, or request a call back.