Half of OAPs worried about Christmas

More than half of older people are worried they will not see their loved ones this Christmas and almost two million “expect to feel lonely”, research suggests.

Around one in seven (16%) people aged 65 and over expect to feel lonely over Christmas, according to polling for Age UK.

And 62% said they are concerned that Covid-19 restrictions may mean they cannot see family and friends over the festive period.

Extrapolating these f ind ings to UK popu la t ion leve l suggests around 7.7 million older people are worried about not seeing family and friends, and almost two million are expecting to feel lonely.

The survey, of 2,264 UK adults aged 65 and over in November, also suggests almost onethird ( 32%) of older people who have lost a partner are expecting to feel lonely.

Age UK is warning that this festive period could potentially be the loneliest and scariest ever experienced for many older people.

Its “no- one should have no-one” campaign, supported by Dame Judi Dench, is asking for donations so it can support older people alone over Christmas.

Age UK ambassador Dame Judi said: “We’ve heard so many heartbreaking stories this year of older people being cut off from their loved ones, through the restrictions which we’ve all had to follow and wanting to keep people safe from catching and spreading the virus.

“And now when we would normally be looking forward to Christmas celebrations and getting together to bring some cheer, many older people are facing their most diffic ult winter ever.”

She added: “We can all do something... please think about how you can support older people today.”