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Briefing paper on the Tackling Loneliness Network – Older People’s Task and Finish Group
- Authors:
- INDEPENDENT AGE, ALZHEIMER'S SOCIETY
- Publisher:
- Independent Age
- Publication year:
- 2021
- Pagination:
- 22
- Place of publication:
- London
This briefing provides insight into the resilience of individuals experiencing loneliness and volunteer and organisations tackling loneliness during the pandemic. Coping with bereavement, loss of social contact, increasing anxiety and depression, a reduction in confidence and digital exclusion have all been raised as areas of concern for people in later life and the organisations that support them. The Network also heard from many about the challenges facing third sector organisations and the volunteer workforce that support people in later life who feel lonely. They are dealing with unprecedented demand and situations they could never have predicted, often without the resources to cope. Despite the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines, uncertain times lie ahead and many are deeply worried about what will happen over the coming months. The resilience of people in later life, and the volunteers and organisations who support them, is being tested like never before: more than three quarters of the latter have experienced an increase in need for their services. The report provides recommendations for Government, business and the voluntary sector on how to tackle the immediate impacts of COVID and address the structural factors that affect the experience of people in later life. (Edited publisher abstract)
Insights into loneliness, older people and wellbeing, 2015
- Author:
- THOMAS Jennifer
- Publisher:
- Office for National Statistics
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 10
- Place of publication:
- Newport
This article focuses on older people's well-being, loneliness and some of the risk factors associated with loneliness such as living alone, housing tenure, marital status, ill health and support networks. The ONS Measuring National Well-being programme aims to produce accepted and trusted measures of the well-being of the nation - how the UK as a whole is doing. This analysis shows that older people are more satisfied with life generally and with their social networks and the support they provide. This may be due to having lower expectations due to a cohort effect or more mature perspectives but ultimately they are more content than their younger counterparts. However, the impact of loneliness on well-being is considerable, especially for the oldest old who are most likely to feel lonely and are subject to a high number of risk factors. The paper argues that the UK needs to consider how to minimise some of the impact that risk factors of loneliness has, particularly bereavement, poor health, and housing tenure. (Edited publisher abstract)
Understanding the impact of almshouse charities in the pandemic
- Author:
- HUNTER Paul
- Publisher:
- Smith Institute
- Publication year:
- 2022
- Pagination:
- 55
- Place of publication:
- London
This independent study seeks to understand the impact of the pandemic on almshouse charities and their residents; examine the difference almshouse charities have made; identify the lessons that can be drawn from the past two years; and highlight challenges the sector faces going forward. The report was informed by desk research, a roundtable discussion hosted by The Almshouse Association and non-attributable telephone/on-line interviews with a variety of almshouse charities and other housing organisations. Overall, the research showed that, like everyone, almshouse charities faced difficulties as a result of the pandemic - not least concerning support for their older and vulnerable residents, many of whom suffered from problems of loneliness. Despite the emergency restrictions and pressures on staff and volunteers, however, the almshouse sector in general proved itself resilient in the face of adversity. The vast majority of almshouse charities were able to protect their residents and continue to offer support. The interviews with people inside and outside the sector clearly demonstrated that almshouses, big and small, have many strengths. Almshouse staff and residents reported a range of Covid-related concerns but said they were proud of the way they responded to the crisis and how they supported each other. Many cited the advantages of having a strong community ethos and strong focus on the value of independent living. Nevertheless, the research also highlighted how the pandemic placed the spotlight on important existing challenges facing the sector, not least around how almshouse charities in general can best carry forward and adapt their longstanding purposes and unique organisational structure to a volatile and fast changing world. (Edited publisher abstract)
Call&Check: a community service which disrupts the norm
- Author:
- DICKINSON Joe
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Care Coordination, 22(2), 2019, pp.100-103.
- Publisher:
- Sage
In this project presentation the author, inventor of Call&Check UK, describes the service which is designed to enable people to live independently and confidently in their own homes. Regular visits are made by a postman/postal operator and who asks five short questions to find out how the recipient is and if there is anything they need. Call&Check works not only for older people in communities but for many others who need that little extra support to live at home. (Edited publisher abstract)
Predictors of loneliness and different types of social isolation of rural-living older adults in the United Kingdom
- Authors:
- de KONING Jolanthe Louise, STATHI Afroditi, RICHARDS Suzanne
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 37(10), 2017, pp.2012-2043.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Loneliness and social isolation are recognised, conceptually distinct threats to health and wellbeing in older age but limited evidence is available on their predictors in rural populations. This study performed logistical regression modelling to explore the predictors of loneliness, isolation from one's family and isolation from one's community in 884 British rural-living older adults (57.9% female; mean age = 71.5, standard deviation = 8.1 years) within the Grey and Pleasant Land data-set. While 13 per cent of participants reported feeling lonely, 49 per cent reported isolation from their family and 9 per cent reported isolation from their community. Minimal cross-over between groups was observed. Widowhood, financial difficulties, area deprivation, and self-reported impairments in physical and mental health predicted loneliness. Greater financial difficulty gave lower odds of isolation from one's family, and higher levels of community engagement gave lower odds of isolation from the community. Ageing in place (longer residency) was the only common predictor for all three dependent variables. Initiatives aimed at tackling loneliness and social isolation in rural-living older people must recognise that the two concepts are distinct, affecting different population sub-groups with mostly different risk factor profiles. Future interventions and policies should clearly identify whether their target is loneliness or social isolation and tailor their interventions appropriately. (Publisher abstract)
The transition to living alone and psychological distress in later life
- Authors:
- STONE Juliet, EVANDROU Maria, FALKINGHAM Jane
- Journal article citation:
- Age and Ageing, 42(3), 2013, pp.366-372.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Background: Living alone in later life has been linked to psychological distress but less is known about the role of the transition into living alone and the role of social and material resources. Methods: A total of 21,535 person-years of data from 4,587 participants of the British Household Panel Survey aged 65+ are analysed. Participants provide a maximum 6 years' data (t0−t5), with trajectories of living arrangements classified as: consistently partnered/ with children/alone; transition from partnered to alone/with children to alone. General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-12 caseness (score >3) is investigated using multi-level logistic regression, controlling for sex, age, activities of daily living, social and material resources. Results: After a transition from partnered at t0 to alone at t1, the odds for GHQ-12 caseness increased substantially, but by t3 returned to baseline levels. The odds for caseness at t0 were highest for those changing from living with a child at t0 to living alone at t1 but declined following the transition to living alone. None of the covariates explained these associations. Living consistently alone did confer increased odds for caseness. Conclusions: Living alone in later life is not in itself a strong risk factor for psychological distress. The effects of transitions to living alone are dependent on the preceding living arrangement and are independent of social and material resources. This advocates a longitudinal approach, allowing identification of respondents' location along trajectories of living arrangements. (Publisher abstract)
Preventing loneliness and social isolation for older people: prompt cards for those who provide support
- Authors:
- MOFFAT Vivien, MUNRO Fiona
- Publisher:
- IRISS
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 23
- Place of publication:
- Glasgow
A set prompt cards, designed for people who work with or support older people, and aim to help prevent loneliness and social isolation. The cards prompt those who provide such support to think about whether older people may be at risk of social isolation or loneliness and to think about ways to help them keep connected. (Edited publisher abstract)
Combatting loneliness: a guide for local authorities
- Author:
- LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
- Publisher:
- Local Government Association
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 44p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Loneliness is a significant and growing issue for many older people. Research over decades has found that acute loneliness has been consistently estimated to affect around 10-13% of the population of older people. Over the same time period, there has been a growing percentage of older people who sometimes feel lonely. Loneliness makes older people vulnerable to developing chronic health problems, depression and increases the need for social care services or residential care. This guide offers a brief summary of key research on the issue of loneliness, and some practical steps every local authority, working in partnership with other statutory bodies and their partners, can take to tackle loneliness, setting them in the context of an overall framework for action. The described framework comprises 3 tiers of actions: at the strategic level across the local authority; at the level of the community; and at the level of the individual. Suggested practical steps are illustrated by case studies drawn from around the country.
Together but alone: isolated older people in care homes
- Author:
- DOWNEY Judy
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing and Residential Care, 13(1), January 2011, pp.36-38.
- Publisher:
- MA Healthcare Ltd.
- Place of publication:
- London
The author, from the Relatives and Residents Association, discusses the issue of care home residents who become socially isolated and what can be done to ease their isolation. It draws on work carried out with care homes by the Association. Improvements in the way care is delivered and the use of volunteers and befriending schemes are briefly mentioned.
Groupwork as a tool to combat loneliness among older people: initial observations
- Authors:
- HEATHCOTE Julie, HONG Chia Swee
- Journal article citation:
- Groupwork, 19(2), 2009, pp.121-130.
- Publisher:
- Whiting and Birch
Predictions suggest that by 2030 a quarter of people in the UK will be over 65. Many current care strategies attempt to keep older people in their own homes. However, independent living and caring for an ageing partner is known to increase loneliness, described as an unwelcome feeling or lack of companionship. Help the Aged has suggested that participation in meaningful activities can reduce isolation and loneliness. This article describes two case studies of different groups of older people, and shows the positive impact of groups on older group members and the staff working with them. By providing companionship, engagement, support and activity, groupwork can bring structure to the lives of older people and their carers who may be feeling 'lonely' and 'isolated' and consequently can impact upon their quality of life. The author concludes that while groupwork is not the solution to reducing social isolation for everyone, for some people it is a positive step in the right direction.