Almost half of over 50s in Scotland experience loneliness

Almost half of over 50s in Scotland experience loneliness all or some of the time, according to our new research.

Our national survey of 1,287 people over the age of 50 found that 46% of respondents felt this way, with people in urban areas slightly more lonely at 50% compared to those living in rural areas at 44%.

The survey also highlights crippling loneliness among unpaid carers, with 41% saying they felt lonely all or some of the time.

To mark Loneliness Awareness Week, we have published On Every Street - a report which shows the extent of loneliness among older people, with figures revealing that there is at least one chronically lonely older person living on every street in the country.

Anne, 60, from Glasgow was an unpaid carer for her mum and mother-in-law over the last 10 years.

"Being a carer for someone living with dementia was very isolating. I gave up my career in financial services to be a full-time carer for my mum and moved into her house.

“It’s been a very lonely journey, no matter who is around you physically, and my husband and I feel very broken emotionally and physically.” 

Alex, 71, from Motherwell, also features in the report. He said:

“I’ve lived on my own since I came back to Scotland. I don’t have any family or friends around now. The reality is that so many people fall away from your life as you get older. And before you know it, you’re on your own.

“I put the TV on in the corner, but it’s really just to stop the silence.”

Age Scotland believes that if Scotland is to meet the needs of an ageing population, more investment is needed to tackle loneliness levels otherwise, the health of the nation could be severely impacted. 

Katherine Crawford, chief executive at Age Scotland, said:

“Scotland is in the grip of an epidemic of loneliness, with chronic levels of loneliness not going anywhere. It is heartbreaking to think that the equivalent of one older person on every street in Scotland feels lonely all or most of the time.

“Our new report On Every Street, lays bare the stories and people behind this shocking statistic and hears their deeply personal experiences of feeling locked out and lonely.

“Our helpline hears from people who have become lonely because they are trying to manage several contributing factors like caring responsibilities, the rise in the cost of living, or a disability. Loneliness can have a huge impact on someone’s health, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and dementia, as well as contributing to significant mental health challenges.

"Reducing loneliness must become a national mission and should be declared as a public health concern in Scotland.
 
“We are calling for the Scottish Government, local authorities, the NHS, funders, politicians, and other partners to ramp up action and commit to renewed investment to support community groups with the resources and support they need to keep communities connected – without them the country faces a worse crisis of social isolation.”
 
Age Scotland’s friendship line encourages those in the older community struggling with loneliness to call for free on 0800 12 44 222. If you'd like to read more of Alex's story and support our appeal to help more lonely older people, please click here.