Joint strategic needs assessment

Loneliness and Social Isolation in Older People (2016)

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Topic title	Loneliness and Social Isolation in Older People (2016)
Topic owner	OPICG
Topic author(s)	Gill Oliver
Topic quality reviewed	October 2015
Topic endorsed by	Dementia & Older people’s Mental Health Group
Topic approved by	Approved by HWIG 20.04.16
Current version	17.02.2016
Replaces version	27.10.15
Linked JSNA topics	The people of Nottinghamshire Carers (2014) Dementia

Executive summary

Introduction

Loneliness is an individual’s sense that they lack the depth and quality of relationships with others that they feel they want or need. People can be alone and not feel lonely, or they may be with others and feel very lonely, as many people do who live in care homes. Loneliness is therefore slightly different to social isolation which is an absence of social contact, although it is clear that one can lead to the other. Loneliness can affect people of all ages but older people are particularly vulnerable since they are more likely to suffer poor physical or mental health and live alone. Research has found a fairly constant proportion (6-13 per cent) of older people feel lonely often or always[i].

Key facts

The causes of loneliness are multi-factorial and complex and therefore difficult to address
Older people are particularly at risk, affecting 10-20,000 older people in Nottinghamshire
Loneliness is bad for your physical and mental health: “Being isolated and living alone shortens life and increases disability – it’s equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.” Duncan Selbie, Chief Executive, Public Health England, March 2013
Loneliness increases use of healthcare to support isolated older people

There are already many interventions and groups running in Nottinghamshire which help to address loneliness. Unmet needs and gaps are identified in the next section.

[i] Safeguarding the convoy: a call to action from the campaign to end loneliness, Age UK Oxfordshire, 2011

Unmet needs and gaps

Addressing loneliness and social isolation is a priority for the Health and Wellbeing Board and its stakeholders. The issues raised in this JSNA need to be incorporated into other health, social care and Public Health initiatives. While people of any age may suffer loneliness, older people generally are particularly at risk and of these there are gaps for some groups of people e.g.

BaME groups in Nottinghamshire where loneliness may be worsened by other social inequalities such as language barriers and poverty
Other minority groups e.g. LGBT
Carers, especially carers of people with dementia
People in care homes
Older men
Some people who are frequent users of health services, GP practices in particular.

Recommendations for consideration by commissioners

None provided.

Key contacts