New inquiry to assess impact of loneliness

A NEW inquiry has been set up to assess the impact of loneliness and isolation and what can be done to tackle the issue.

The Assembly’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee will be examining the scale and causes of the problem across the country, as well as what local authorities, communities, voluntary organisations and the Welsh Government are doing to address the problem.

It will also look at the extent to which initiatives to combat loneliness and isolation experienced by other groups may also help older people.

Research by Age Cymru suggests that 75,000 older people in Wales feel lonely, with almost half of those surveyed saying their television or a pet was their main companion.

Loneliness and isolation can have a major impact on health and wellbeing and has been described as “the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day”.

It is associated with conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension and dementia, as well as depression and even suicide.

The committee will consider how public services affect the lives of people who feel lonely or are isolated, including housing, transport infra- structure and community facilities.

“One of the points we will explore in this inquiry is that loneliness and isolation are not the same thing,” said Dai Lloyd AM, Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee.

“Someone can feel isolated in a rural community, lonely in a crowded room or vice versa. It can also affect anyone; employed or retired, living in a town, city or the countryside.

“There is evidence that loneliness and isolation can have a significant impact on physical and mental health; preventing loneliness and isolation may therefore help to reduce demand for health and social services.

“What we will be looking at is what effect these issues are having on older people’s health and wellbeing and what can and is being done to help them.

“If you or someone you know is, or has been, affected by these issues, or you are involved in work to support them, then we would like to hear about your experiences and what ideas you think could help.”

Anyone wishing to contribute to the inquiry should visit the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee’s page on the National Assembly’s website, or follow the Committee on Twitter @SeneddHealth.

The closing date for the public consultation is March 10.