Loving rather than fearing later life

Loneliness in the UK

Over half (51%) of all people aged 75 and over live alone (ONS, 2010)

A higher % of women than men report feeling lonely “some of the time” or “often” (ONS, 2013)

@EndLonelinessUK

Research into the causes of loneliness

Wider society:•Transport•Physical environment •Community•Housing •Technology •Crime•Population changes

Personal:•Poor health•Sensory loss•Loss of mobility•Less income•Bereavement•Retirement•Other change, e.g. giving up driving

A range of ‘risk factors’ increase our vulnerability to loneliness - loss and transitions:

Loneliness can happen at any age, but risk factors increase as we get older.

@EndLonelinessUK

Problems caused by loneliness

Loneliness has negative effects on health:

• Increases risk of depression

• Is linked to an 64% increased risk of developing clinical dementia

• Is an equivalent risk factor for early mortality to smoking 15 cigarettes a day

• Increases the risk of high blood pressure

Loneliness and isolation contribute to harmful health behaviours:

• Can be uniquely vulnerable to alcohol problems

• Eat less well: Older adults who live alone and have infrequent contact with friends eat fewer vegetables each day.

• Are more likely to be smokers and more likely to be overweight

• Are less likely to engage in physical activity and exercise

@EndLonelinessUK

Evidence and examples of what actually works in reducing loneliness in later life• Start with the person –type of loneliness• Effective interventions have been shown as:oGroup-basedo Interest-basedo Involve older people in design and deliveryoCommunity development model (age-friendly cities)oTechnology – emerging evidence

• Menu needed: outreach, mentoring, welcoming schemes, transport, respite

@EndLonelinessUK

Can we do more to predict and prevent loneliness?

National leadership: identify those at risk

Local leadership: prioritise and partnerships to support a menu of options that prevent and tackle loneliness…

Learn from eachother: join the Campaign’s learning network www.campaigntoendloneliness.org.uk/learning-network

Community interventions:

• Find those at risk

• Evidence-based interventions – measure impact

• Protect enablers – public transport; toilets; benches @EndLonelinessUK