Campaign will tackle loneliness
As we are enjoying the festive season, many of us will also be thinking of those who find it more difficult to celebrate at Christmas.
For many older people, loneliness can be a problem at this time of year.
Recent figures released by Age Scotland show that almost 65,000 people in Scotland who are aged 60 or over feel lonelier at Christmas and 54,000 older people will spend Christmas alone.
I am pleased that the charity has launched a campaign on loneliness and isolation. It is called‘No One Should Have No One’.
Age Scotland is encouraging everyone to think about what they can do to address and prevent loneliness in their neighbourhoods and among their friends and families – calling in on their neighbours to see if they need a helping hand or asking local groups who support older people if they need a volunteer.
The charity has a freephone helpline – 0800 12 44 222 – which is available for older people, their families and carers.
It offers friendship and contact as well as information and advice, and the charity is encouraging people to get in touch, particularly over the winter months, and have a chat with its team of friendly advisers.
New figures show the stark reality of loneliness amongst older people at this time of year, with 200,000 older Scots going half a typical week or more with no visits or phone calls from anyone.
Often life events such as bereavement, ill health and long term health conditions such as diabetes and arthritis can give rise to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
The overwhelming majority of those interviewed for the survey agreed that there should be more help available for older people who are lonely.
Rural areas can face particular challenges when it comes to barriers for people to get out and about.
Over recent years we have seen cuts to rural transport services and this can make it more difficult for many older people to take part in activities and visit friends and family.
Last year in Holyrood there was a ground-breaking, cross-party parliamentary inquiry into loneliness and isolation, leading to the Scottish Government committing to a national strategy to tackle isolation.
This is vital because loneliness has been shown to be detrimental to health, contributing to conditions like heart disease and dementia.
But it can be addressed and that is what many groups supporting older people are doing at this time of year.
I’d like to thank them for all their dedicated work at Christmas and all year round.
But the‘No One Should ...’ campaign is asking us what we can all do to help tackle loneliness and is encouraging people to check on older neighbours and perhaps see if they need a helping hand.
Small gestures, like going round for a cuppa, or clearing paths of ice and showing you are concerned can provide comfort and aid to older people.
There are things we can all do in our families and communities to ensure more people enjoy Christmas and new year.