One in five elderly people have ‘no-one to turn to’, warns charity

One out of every five elderly people in the UK who feel lonely say they have no-one to turn to, a survey indicates. The Campaign to End Loneliness charity says older people need a “range of support” to help them fight loneliness.

Transport and technology are essential to support the elderly, says the charity, as it launches an online guidance service for local authorities.

The Local Government Association says given tightening budgets, it gives the best possible care to those in need.
As its survey on loneliness is published, the charity warns that earlier research has shown loneliness and isolation are as risky to health in older people as “smoking 15 cigarettes a day”.

The charity is calling on local authorities to “take the lead” in tackling loneliness in older people.

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