Tackling Loneliness
Published on 04 January 2018 12:00 AM
No One Should Have No One
More than half of the older people in the East Midlands surveyed for Age UK – equating to over half a million people aged-65 and over – feel their days can be repetitivei. Based on the survey, the Charity estimates that getting on towards 108,000 people aged 65 and over in the East Midlands don’t see or hear from someone for days on end, particularly over the winter period.ii
Age UK Lindsey’s campaign is calling on people locally to pledge their support and donate to help the Charity be there for older people and tackle the loneliness that is blighting too many lives.
Click here to donate to Age UK Lindsey
Every day Age UK Lindsey hears from people who are experiencing devastating life events such as bereavement, which can give rise to overwhelming feelings of loneliness and loss. Left unaddressed this can cause long-term misery and contribute to the development of serious medical conditions, such as heart problems and strokes, mental health issues and dementia.
Click here to find out more about our Befriending Service
Andy Storer, Chief Officer at Age UK Lindsey said, “Loneliness doesn’t only affect older people over the Christmas period, but because most of us expect to spend this time of the year enjoying ourselves with family and friends it can make those who are unwillingly on their own feel all the more left out and miserable. For many lonely older people the festive season also brings back memories of happier times in years gone by, reminding them of partners and other close relatives and friends who are no longer around and who they sorely miss.
“Chronic loneliness is not only horrible to experience day in, day out, it can also have a devastating impact on an older person’s mental and physical health. That’s why at Age UK Lindsey we are committed to being here year round for older people, to help tackle the loneliness that is blighting far too many later lives.
“There is something we can all do to make a positive difference to the older people around us. Having a friendly chat with an older person on the bus or in a shop, or offering to help an elderly neighbour with their shopping if the weather is bad, can do more good than most of us would ever guess, and at very little cost to ourselves. In fact I guarantee you’ll feel better too as a result.”
Click here to find out about volunteering for Age UK Lindsey
i 56 per cent (approx. 501,600). Kantar TNS polling for Age UK, Nov 2017.
ii 12 per cent (approx. 107,485) of those aged 65+ don’t see or hear from anyone for three days or more over Christmas.