No one should have no one - tackling loneliness

Loneliness and isolation are a daily reality for many older people – 75,000 older people in Wales have reported 'always or often' feeling lonely.

Age Cymru believes loneliness and isolation should be recognised and treated as a public health priority and we want local authorities to take the following steps:

• Create safe, accessible built environments with places to meet that are easily accessible by integrated local public and community transport;

• Involve older people in identifying and developing solutions to isolation;

• Work with housing, transport, health, care, voluntary sector organisations and GPs to deliver practical and emotional help to tackle loneliness;

• Provide services that prevent or manage loneliness and isolation at life stages which are likely to increase loneliness, such as bereavement, having to stop driving or moving to a new home or residential care;

• Agree specific local actions to reduce loneliness and monitor and evaluate their impact.