Vulnerable adults’ lonely issues

MORE than half of sick and vulnerable adults in Leicestershire feel they don’t spend enough time with friends, increasing their risk of loneliness and depression.

A survey from the NHS has revealed that just 44% of people supported by adult social services in the area get as much social contact as they want, with people that they like.

However, 33% of respondents said while they had “adequate” social contact with people, it was not as much as they wanted, and 15% said they had some social contact, but not enough.

A further one in 12 (8%) said they had little contact and felt socially isolated.

Adult social care users include older people, as well as those with mental health problems, physical disabilities and learning disabilities.

Nearly one in three people surveyed across Leicestershire feel that the care and support services they receive do not help them with having social contact (31%).

Richard Kramer, chief executive of national disability charity Sense, said: “We are all likely to experience loneliness at some point in our lives, but having a disability means that you are more likely to be lonely.

“Barriers to making friends and meeting people include a lack of accessible transport and buildings, financial support and appropriate social care.

“But a lack of understanding and awareness of disability is also a significant obstacle to making connections and forming friendships.

“Loneliness must be tackled at every level, from communities to government.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly, 56% of sick, vulnerable and elderly people in Leicestershire say they are anxious or depressed - with 12% saying they are “extremely” so.