This Christmas set to be the loneliest yet for older people

New research from Age Scotland’s sister charity Age UK shows that this Christmas is set to the loneliest yet for older people with more than 157,000 over 65s in Scotland expecting to feel lonely over the festive season.

Nearly 6 in 10 older people (57% - 595,000) are also concerned that they won’t see friends and family over the Christmas period.

The national charity for older people have described the figures as heart-breaking and believe that they might just be the tip of the iceberg.

Age Scotland is encouraging everyone to be friendly and make an extra effort with the older people in their communities this winter as the survey found that around 94,000 over 65s in Scotland said they wouldn't have got through the pandemic without the kindness of strangers.

The new figures also show that 21% of older people (219,000) have had someone help them by collecting their prescriptions or medicine during the pandemic and 29% (303,000) have had someone help them by shopping for essentials (e.g. food and toiletries).

It is clear from these findings that people have stepped up to support our older population during the pandemic, which has made a huge and much appreciated difference – 428,000 older people in Scotland say they wouldn’t have got through the pandemic without their friends, highlighting the power of friendships and human connection, which is more important than ever before.

However, while 44% of older people (459,000) have had someone call them for a chat because of their situation during the pandemic, sadly this isn’t the case for everyone.

Age Scotland is asking people to support their friendship line this winter with a monthly donation of £5 which will fund a regular call to an older person in need. This free service was launched in June by Still Game star Greg Hemphill in response to the huge rise in calls to the charity from older people who were lonely and just wanted a friendly chat. It is available on 0800 12 44 222 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Age Scotland’s chief executive Brian Sloan said:

“We know that the Christmas period is the loneliest time of the year for many older people in Scotland but this one will be like no other. It’s heart-breaking that more than 157,000 over 65s expect to feel lonely this year, which could be as many as two older people on every street in Scotland. But it might just be the tip of the iceberg.

“Before this crisis, the extent and prevalence of loneliness and social isolation was sky high but was often hidden. The impact coronavirus has had on all of our lives has been drastic and as a result the levels of loneliness throughout this year, among people of all ages, has been rising at an alarming rate. It has been particularly felt by the hundreds of thousands of older people who live alone, have no local support networks and who do not have access to the internet.

“The extraordinary levels and inspiring examples of community spirit we witnessed earlier this year must be reinvigorated through winter as people need you more than ever before. Indeed, the kindness of strangers and neighbours throughout this pandemic has been a lifesaver to nearly 100,000 older people in Scotland. Without this support they say they wouldn’t have got through this year.

“It is so important that we all make an extra effort to reach out to older people in our lives and in our community, especially those who live alone, as yours may be the only voice they hear all week. No one should be alone this Christmas.

“Age Scotland’s Friendship Line is here for people who want to have a friendly chat, a listening ear and to know that someone is there for them this winter. It is free to call on 0800 12 44 222, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.”