Epidemic of old men suffering a life of loneliness

But they are too stoical to admit it says charity

HALF a million elderly men are suffering from deep loneliness as well as long-term disabilities and ill-health, a charity says.

It said that as the population of older people has risen in recent years, it has left an increasing number of men struggling to cope with isolation and chronic illness in later life.

The charity Age UK said a major reason is that male lifespans have been catching up with women as they reap the benefits of declining levels of smoking and the replacement of dangerous and unhealthy heavy industrial jobs with service industry and office work.

More than half of over-75s live alone, but as men have begun living longer more now face the difficulties usually associated with isolated older women.

Growing rates of divorce and relationships breaking down are also thought to have contributed to the numbers of older men who are living on their own, and who are particularly vulnerable to the onset of disability or long-lasting medical conditions.

The estimates by Age UK show that one in three men who have long-term health problems, about 550,000, can be classed as lonely.

Earlier this month the Campaign To End Loneliness group released a survey that found 84 per cent of elderly people say they felt lonely some times while 13 per cent feel lonely all the time. Shockingly, more than nine out of ten said they were scared to admit they were lonely due to the stigma attached to it.

Men are often less willing than women to try to make new friends or join clubs and societies – a reluctance which increases the risk of loneliness.

Caroline Abrahams of 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 normal for any older person. Loneliness is a widespread problem among older men, especially for those who are unwell, bereaved or who have seen family and friends move away.

‘As more older men live longer we need to appreciate that the numbers who are chronically lonely are likely to increase too.’

The charity’s report, which is based on official figures and results from its own surveys, states that around a million older people are considered lonely at any one time, and that isolation increases the risk of dementia, high blood pressure and depression. It calculated the health impact of loneliness as similar to the ill effects of smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

‘All the evidence shows that older men who live alone are more likely to be lonely than their female counterparts and to have less regular contact with family and friends, exacerbating feelings of loneliness,’ the report said.

The increasing isolation comes at a time of rising numbers of ‘silver splitters’ – people left alone in their sixties and later by divorce or break-up.

However official estimates also suggest that two out of three people who live alone in their late thirties and forties are men, and they are more likely than women to continue to live alone.

Earlier this year research found loneliness increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke by almost a third, and that the effect of social isolation is similar to that of anxiety or workrelated stress. British scientists analysed data on more than 181,000 people and found being lonely and isolated raised the chance of heart disease by 29 per cent and stroke by 32 per cent.

A Department of Health spokesman said: ‘We want Britain to be the best country in the world to grow old.

‘ That’s why we have supported organisations such as the Campaign To End Loneliness to raise awareness of social isolation, and have given funding to The Silver Line, which helps lonely people get support.’

‘Family and friends move away’