On front line in the battle to beat city’s lonelinessepidemic
PIONEERING CONFERENCE AIMS TO TACKLE ISOLATION
THE equivalent of the entire population of Easterhouse is experiencing chronic loneliness, campaigners have warned.
Of the 20,000 older people in the city, it is estimated that 10 per cent can go days or weeks without having any contact with anyone.
One elderly man, who lives in high flats in the Drygate area, told researchers it was common to go three or four weeks without seeing anyone.
Another woman, from Parkhouse, said: “I could not believe how lonely I felt after the death of her husband, four years ago.”
The statistics were revealed at Glasgow’s first-ever loneliness conference, which was opened by Scotland’s national poet, Jackie Kay, where campaigners described loneliness as a major public health issue.
A campaign is now being launched in the city to help tackle the problem and will involve local businesses, the council and charities with the public encouraged to get involved.
Research by the National Campaign to end loneliness found nine in 10 people in Glasgow believe loneliness in older age is now ‘more likely than ever’.
Nine in 10 older Glaswegians believe that it is hard for them to admit they are lonely because they don’t want to be a burden
However, seven in 10 people in the city say they want to help address the loneliness epidemic
Other speakers at the conference, which was held at the Royal Concert hall, in- cluded Derek Young of Age Scotland and Tressa Burke, Chief Executive of Glasgow Disability Alliance and Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council.
Anne Callaghan, the Campaign to End Loneliness’ Campaign Manager for Scotland, said: “Glasgow is a world-leading friendly city and renowned for its big heart.
“Loneliness is an epidemic. There are 1.2 million chronically lonely older people in the UK, and the health impacts are devastating; it is as bad for you as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Most worrying, however, is the popular view that loneliness in older age is more likely than ever – that loneliness is inevita- ble. We’re here to challenge that.
“Loneliness in older age is not inevitable if we all play our part – from local and national government, civil society and businesses. There is some great outreach work to support older people in Glasgow, but now we need a strategic and coordinated approach to combat loneliness.
“It will be challenging; the stigma of loneliness means that 9 in 10 older people in Glasgow fear admitting to being lonely in case they are seen as a burden.
“We want to break down this stigma. The need for friendship and support does not reduce with age. Whether we’re 24 or 84, we all need connections that matter. It’s time for us to all take action and connect with the thousands of lonely older people in our communities. Together, we can end loneliness.”
Susan Aitken said: “Loneliness can have a potentially devastating impact on our daily lives, health and wellbeing.
“Feelings of loneliness are linked with poor health, including high blood pressure, weakened immune system, and an increased risk of developing dementia.
“We have been working with various agencies and local groups to tackle this.
“The role of the Summit is to bring those voices together to launch the Campaign to End Loneliness in Glasgow, and determine the best way forward for us to achieve this together.”
People in Glasgow are being encouraged to share their experiences of loneliness at Scotland@campaigntoendloneliness.org.uk