End Isolation Campaign

As the wheels of technological change whirl at ever increasing speed it’s hard to imagine, in a world of social networks, video phones and mass air travel, that anyone could be isolated.  For older people with the money, good health and confidence to enjoy such opportunities, later life can indeed be a very sociable place.  Yet for too many loneliness remains a daily reality, with 15 per cent of people aged 70 and over seeing friends and neighbours at best once a week. 

Researchers rate loneliness as a higher health risk than lifelong smoking. It can contribute towards depression and links have been found between a lack of social interaction with the onset of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.  Simply put, being lonely can make life miserable, and being miserable can cut short your life.

While increasing life expectancies are a cause for celebration, an ageing population could make matters worse.  By 2033 more than three in four women aged over 85 and over will live alone, compared with less than two in three in 2008, and the number of men in this situation is expected to increase by three hundred percent. 

Age Scotland believes that isolation is not inevitable and that taking action now to tackle its causes can make a huge difference to the quality of life for Scotland’s older people.  The End Isolation Campaign will aim to do just that.  We’ll start in spring 2012 with Walk in our shoes, act on our issues, an action for community groups that would like to make their neighbourhoods more age friendly. 

Over a two year period we will also campaign to prevent older people becoming cut off in severe winter weather, for free and expanded community transport provision, for investment in projects and services that help older people to stay happy and well and independent, and to encourage everyone to make a personal pledge to tackle loneliness.

If you would like to discuss any current or planned End Isolation campaign activities please email Doug Anthoney or call 0845 833 9313. 

Walk in our shoes, act on our issues

Uneven pavements, public toilets closures, poor street lighting, unsafe road crossings, inaccessible shops ... things that discourage older people from getting out and about and increase isolation in too many of our communities.   Yet with political will many of these barriers can be reduced or removed, often at comparatively low cost.  In partnership with community groups, we will make local politicians aware of, and committed to tackling, the most pressing problems.

Community Transport - Access all areas

The free bus pass for ages 60 plus has really helped to reduce isolation.  Yet for older people who live away from established bus routes, Community Transport is not part of the scheme and can therefore be expensive, limited or even non-existent. We will campaign for free bus passes to be valid on Community Transport, and for the scheme to be adjusted so that participating is cost effective for voluntary sector transport providers.  To ensure funds to pay for this, we will accept award of free bus passes at State Pension Age rather than age 60.

Winter weather – No one left out

We will be watching how well local authorities are looking after vulnerable older people during severe winter weather.  Where we find evidence that councils haven’t put in place the plans and resources to do this properly, we will hold them to account - with your help.

'That little bit of help’ services – Making the case

Meals on wheels, lunch clubs, befriending schemes ... the list of services that older people value for giving ‘that little bit of help’ and human contact could go on and on.  Sadly it’s getting shorter, as cash strapped councils prioritise support for the most needy.  Yet in enabling older people to stay happy and well and independent, these services also save the public purse millions in the long run.  We don’t think a ‘stop the cuts’ approach will pay off - councils will simply say “what should we cut then?”  Rather, we want to give recognition to the best in ‘little bit of help’ services to encourage future investment.

Ending isolation – It’s in your hands

Social change has left many older people living many miles away from family and friends, and more isolated and lonely as a result.  Yet emergencies such as the snowfall of winter 2010 show that many people are willing to help others whom they have never met before.  We want to tap into this community spirit and will be asking members of the public to make a pledge to reduce older people’s isolation.