1.3 million older people spend two months a year alone
Published: 09/01/2017
A OnePoll survey of 1,000 over 65-year-olds, found 11% said they spent five days or more a month without seeing anyone. In London, 16% of respondents said they had spent more than a week alone.
Some 1.3 million older people spend the equivalent of two months a year without seeing anyone, according to a poll.
A OnePoll survey of 1,000 over 65-year-olds, found 11% said they spent five days or more a month without seeing anyone. In London, 16% of respondents said they had spent more than a week alone.
The poll was commissioned by specialist homecare provider Bluebird Care who have been working with the elderly in Haringey for over 3 years to help tackle loneliness.
Jyoti Kohli, Managing Director at Bluebird Care Haringey, said:
“Just because people get to a certain age it doesn’t mean they want to go out less, or be confined to their homes. Loneliness amongst the elderly has become a huge concern over the past twenty years, which is why we’ve launched this new Every Visit Counts campaign.
Our Bluebird Care staff go out of their way to ensure the elderly people we work with are given opportunities to go out, socialise with friends and family, and take part in recreational activities.
Over the next year we’ll be looking at what further links we can build with community organisations and charities to give elderly residents even more opportunities to socialise and spend time with others.”
The aim of the campaign is to highlight the high rate of loneliness amongst older people in the UK.
The campaign brings expert tips and highlights ways that everyone can help to spot and beat loneliness in society.
To watch the campaign video and to find out more click here.
