OLDER people are in the grip of a “loneliness epidemic”, according to research published today.
More than 66 million hours are spent alone by people aged over 65 in Britain each day – equivalent to each person over 65 spending more than 100 days alone each year, the study found.
The survey, conducted for the Associated Retirement Community Operators (Arco), found that a quarter of over-65s (24%) feel lonely some or most of the time, and almost one in five (18%) of over-75s sometimes go a full weekend without seeing and speaking to another person.
The research comes just weeks after Mima Cattan, professor of public health at Northumbria University, previously spoke to The Journal about the growing problem.
She said: “Until someone really trusts you, it’s about picking up the signs of loneliness. They will sometimes talk about others being very lonely, but actually they’re talking about themselves.”
She added: “I don’t think it is a modern thing. I suspect it happened in the industrial revolution, when people moved away from home, but of course there are no studies dating that far back.
“But in the current economic climate, I think loneliness is something we might well see more of.”
The latest survey was of 1,030 people aged over 65 and it found that they spend an average of 6.4 waking hours alone each day. Multiplied by 10.4 million people over 65, this gives a figure of more than 66 million hours spent alone each day.
When people were asked what worried them most about getting older, poor health (32%) came out top, while having to leave the family home most concerned just 4% of respondents.
However, almost three quarters (72%) have not made any changes to the way they live, or made any preparations for their changing housing needs.
Arco chairman Jon Gooding said: “We are in the grip of a loneliness epidemic. People are fearful of their declining health, and yet appear to be unprepared for old age. Couple this with the fact that, in 2033, there will be 3.3 million people over the age of 85 in the UK, and it becomes clear that we face a momentous challenge.
“The emergence of this brand new generation, who want more and expect more from retirement, calls for a entirely different approach to housing and care.”
He said that this latest survey shows that, while people have legitimate concerns about getting older, they are not so worried about being able to stay in the family home.
“We know that the decision to ‘stay put’ is often associated with a complete lack of choice,” he added. “We need to wake up as a country and ensure that people are aware of, and have access to, a variety of options for high-quality housing, care and support in old age.
“Now is the time for the Government to support growth in the housing with care sector, helping older people make the right move at the right time, having access to the support they need while maintaining their right to their own front door.”
Arco is the main body representing retirement communities in the UK.
