Loving rather than fearing later life, Laura Ferguson For Later Life 2014
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Transcript of Loving rather than fearing later life, Laura Ferguson For Later Life 2014
Loving rather than fearing later life
Loneliness in the UK
Over half (51%) of all people aged 75 and over live alone (ONS, 2010)
A higher % of women than men report feeling lonely “some of the time” or “often” (ONS, 2013)
@EndLonelinessUK
Research into the causes of loneliness
Wider society:•Transport•Physical environment •Community•Housing •Technology •Crime•Population changes
Personal:•Poor health•Sensory loss•Loss of mobility•Less income•Bereavement•Retirement•Other change, e.g. giving up driving
A range of ‘risk factors’ increase our vulnerability to loneliness - loss and transitions:
Loneliness can happen at any age, but risk factors increase as we get older.
@EndLonelinessUK
Problems caused by loneliness
Loneliness has negative effects on health:
• Increases risk of depression
• Is linked to an 64% increased risk of developing clinical dementia
• Is an equivalent risk factor for early mortality to smoking 15 cigarettes a day
• Increases the risk of high blood pressure
Loneliness and isolation contribute to harmful health behaviours:
• Can be uniquely vulnerable to alcohol problems
• Eat less well: Older adults who live alone and have infrequent contact with friends eat fewer vegetables each day.
• Are more likely to be smokers and more likely to be overweight
• Are less likely to engage in physical activity and exercise
@EndLonelinessUK
Evidence and examples of what actually works in reducing loneliness in later life• Start with the person –type of loneliness• Effective interventions have been shown as:oGroup-basedo Interest-basedo Involve older people in design and deliveryoCommunity development model (age-friendly cities)oTechnology – emerging evidence
• Menu needed: outreach, mentoring, welcoming schemes, transport, respite
@EndLonelinessUK
Can we do more to predict and prevent loneliness?
National leadership: identify those at risk
Local leadership: prioritise and partnerships to support a menu of options that prevent and tackle loneliness…
Learn from eachother: join the Campaign’s learning network www.campaigntoendloneliness.org.uk/learning-network
Community interventions:
• Find those at risk
• Evidence-based interventions – measure impact
• Protect enablers – public transport; toilets; benches @EndLonelinessUK