The hidden issue of lonely men
LIVING alone can be hard, especially for older men who tend to be lonelier than their female counterparts, research from Age UK reveals.
Almost a third of older men who have long-term health problems are lonely — that’s half a million men aged 65 and over in England.
And while society has become more aware of the risks of loneliness to older women, the number of lonely men is now on the rise as male life expectancy increases.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: ‘Loneliness is often a hidden issue, as many older men tend to be stoical and reluctant to admit how lonely they are.
‘But facing the ups and downs of later life alone shouldn’t be “the new normal” for any older person.’
Around a million older people ( 10 per cent) are ‘chronically lonely’, and research shows that it can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It also increases the risk of conditions including dementia, high blood pressure and depression.
There are clear reasons behind the high numbers of lonely older people. Working families can be scattered and live busy, hectic lives. And as more of us use electronic communications, older people risk feeling very left out if they can’t join in.
Phone calls and visits can help. And Age UK is calling for more funding to run initiatives to help older people who feel lonely and isolated.
COPING AT HOME
ADAPTING the home might not solve loneliness or guarantee good health, but any means that people can find to look after themselves and make life easier can be worth exploring.
Living alone can be a concern for those who struggle with the stairs, while the risk of an elderly loved one falling can heap worry on relatives. A stairlift can put everyone’s mind at rest as it reduces the likelihood of a fall. Today they are easy to operate, run smoothly and quietly and fold back neatly when not in use. And they use less than £5 per year in electricity.
You don’t need to be unable to get upstairs at all to benefit from a stairlift, as having one in place can be helpful for times when you are feeling tired or stiff, such as first thing in the morning or last thing at night.
It will also future-proof the home so that going upstairs won’t be an issue in the years ahead.
RESEARCH has found that seven out of ten doctors would recommend sitting in a reclined position to help relieve backache.
When a person is reclined, their body is completely supported, removing the strain that causes pain.
And lying back like this on an adjustable bed can also ease pain problems such as neck and shoulder ache, arthritis and restless leg syndrome.
We spend a third of our lives in bed, so it is worth looking at the level of postural support we have at night, to help reduce stiffness and pain.