Impact of loneliness on elderly and vulnerable

Loneliness is a deeply subjective emotional state that occurs when there is a gap between the social connections a person has and those they desire. It is not just being physically alone- it is about feeling isolated, disconnected, or not understood, even in a crowd.

 

The impact of loneliness is much more severe for the elderly and vulnerable people of our society who have limited means to address the issue on their own.

 

 

In West Midlands alone, the December 2020 data by Age UK Solihull estimated that around 254,000 older people in the West Midlands were expecting to feel lonely that Christmas due to the pandemic. While this was a specific point in time influenced by COVID-19 restrictions, it highlights the scale of potential loneliness in the region.

 

 

Meanwhile research from Age UK Sandwell in December 2017 indicated that nearly 85,000 older people in the West Midlands felt lonelier at Christmas time. The same research estimated that over half a million people aged 65 and over in the West Midlands felt their days could be repetitive, a factor contributing to loneliness.

 

The 2017 Age UK Sandwell study also estimated that more than 40,000 people aged 65 and over in the West Midlands didn’t see or hear from someone for days on end over the festive period. Narrowing down to Birmingham, it was noted in 2021 that almost 57,000 people over the age of 65 lived alone, increasing their risk of social isolation and loneliness.

 

Wider UK wide statistics, thanks to study and research conducted by Age UK and NHS Mental Health Services Birmingham, estimates that more than 2 million people in England over the age of 75 live alone.  Age UK also states that more than a million older people say they go over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour, or family member.  A report from late 2024 indicated that 7% (1 in 14 people) aged 65+ in the UK, equivalent to 940,000 older people, are often lonely. The same report also found that 270,000 older people (aged 65+) in England go a week without speaking to a friend or family member (3%, or around 1 in 40 people aged 65+).

 

Interestingly, data suggests that older people, particularly those over 65 and 75, tend to be less lonely on average compared to younger adults (16-24 year olds). However, when loneliness does occur in older age, it can have severe consequences.  The ONS (Office for National Statistics) found that during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021), the number of people saying they often or always felt lonely increased significantly across all age groups. While this may have somewhat recovered, the long-term impact on the elderly is still a concern.

 

Impact of Loneliness on Elderly Health:

 

It’s crucial to understand that loneliness and social isolation have significant negative impacts on the health and well-being of older adults:

 

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  • Frailty: Loneliness can lead to an increase in physical frailty, increasing the risk of falls and other adverse health outcomes.

• • Increased risk of mortality: Loneliness is considered as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

• • Mental health issues: Higher risk of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

• • Cognitive decline: Increased risk of cognitive decline and the onset of dementia.

• • Physical health problems: Linked to increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and a weakened immune system.

• • Increased healthcare utilization: Lonely individuals are more likely to be admitted to the hospital, have longer stays, visit their GP or A&E more often, and enter residential care sooner.