Bluebird Care launches Every Visit Counts campaign

Some 1.3 million older people spend the equivalent of two months a year without seeing anyone, according to a poll. In the West Midlands, 20% 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 the West Midlands, 20% of respondents said they had spent more than a week alone.

The report poll also found that in the West Midlands:

• Nearly a fifth (16%) spend nearly a month (24 days) a year without seeing anyone.
• Four in 10 (43%) feel lonely either often or sometimes.
• A quarter (26%) would not admit to someone they trust that they are lonely.
• Nearly half (47%) say they do not have access to support when they are feeling lonely.

There are 11.4 million people in Britain aged 65-years-old or more, according to Age UK, which means 1.3 million older people are spending more than two months a year alone.

Women, who live longer on average, make up 70% of the people over the age of 65.   Older women are twice as likely to spend at least two months a year alone: 1.1 million older women (14%) spend two months a year alone compared to 200,000 older men (7%).

The survey also found two million older people (18%) have spent more than a week without seeing anyone. 

Again older women are more likely to have spent longer periods alone than older men with 21% of female respondents saying they have gone a week or longer without speaking to another person compared to 14% of men.

The poll was commissioned by homecare company Bluebird Care.

The aim of the campaign is to highlight the high rate of loneliness amongst older people in the UK. Full details can be found at www.everyvisit.co.uk
 
The campaign brings expert tips and highlights ways that everyone can help to spot and beat loneliness in society.