Wales could be facing epidemic of loneliness among elderly
WALES could soon face a loneliness epidemic among the elderly if local authorities do not act to tackle the problem, a leading charity has warned.
Age Cymru – which today launches its “No one should have no one” campaign – claims isolation and loneliness are a daily reality for many older people in Wales, with 75,000 people said to be “always or often” lonely.
As part of the campaign, the charity has released the stories of two elderly women from Cardiff, with one describing her feelings as “emotionally dying” and “one of the lowest points in her life”.
Betty, 96, who’s name has been changed to protect her identity, said: “The important thing is, as soon as you can, to get out and about to places because the best way to meet new people is through your interests.
“But there are times when it’s not easy to meet people and when you start to get isolated there’s a sort of doom hanging over you.
“When you lose someone close to you everybody’s happy to help for a while, but you need to be a bit cheeky and ask for what you want.”
Jane, 84, who’s name has also been changed, said: “My husband was diagnosed with dementia two-and-a-half years ago and has been in a care home for the last year.
“He’s happy and I’m happy for him to be there and I love being with my husband and holding his hands – it’s the happiest time, but I have reached the lowest point in my life.
“I had little or no help available from social services when my husband was diagnosed with dementia and I am living through it now and suffering from loneliness and depression.
“My son also died 12 years ago and I am practically emotionally dying. I am not in a good place. I don’t want pills, I want company. I’m struggling to keep going.”
The charity is warning that the impact of dealing with the physical and mental health effects of loneliness is putting added pressure on local authority and health services.
“Age Cymru believes the causes of isolation and loneliness among older people in Wales should be addressed as a national public health priority,” the charity’s chief executive, Ian Thomas, said.
“There are many reasons why older people can become isolated – such as poor transport; an inaccessible built environment in our towns and cities, and a lack of local amenities and including public toilets.”
“And while the effects of this isolation may not be immediately obvious, being lonely can increase the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease and most worryingly there is a proven link between loneliness, depression and suicide.
“With our ageing population, this situation will continue to get worse and there will be a national isolation epidemic in Wales unless we take steps now and tackle isolation as a national public health priority.”
The campaign is calling on local authorities to create safe accessible built environments with meeting places that are easily accessible by integrated local public and community transport; to involve older people in identifying and developing solutions to isolation; work with housing, transport, health, care, voluntary sector organisations and GPs to deliver practical and emotional help to tackle loneliness; provide services that prevent or manage loneliness and isolation at life stages which are likely to increase loneliness and agree specific local actions to reduce loneliness and monitor and evaluate their impact.
Age Cymru’s campaign manifesto can be downloaded from its website. facilities,