WRVS in bid to tackle 'loneliness'

Sep 28 2012

A charity has called for action to address the "extreme loneliness" suffered by thousands of elderly people.

A survey for the WRVS found 26% of those aged 75 who lived alone described themselves as being lonely and 5% of older people living on their own said they could go for days at a time without speaking to another person.

PCP Market Research carried out the survey, questioning 500 over-75s who live by themselves, including 100 people north of the border.

Almost one in five Scots surveyed said they were unable to leave their home because of poor health.

The WRVS is hosting a conference in the Scottish Parliament to highlight the "epidemic of loneliness" it says affects older people.

Margaret Paterson, head of WRVS services in Scotland, said helping older people "in small ways" could be key to tackling the problem.

The WRVS has been pioneering ways of providing food services to senior citizens, with the charity's Clydesdale branch organising a monthly lunch in a local pub - a service it developed in response to a demand from older people who wanted to go for a pub lunch but had no-one to go with.

Ms Paterson said: "Sadly, extreme loneliness, experienced by thousands of older people in Scotland every day, often goes unnoticed for too long.

"The consequences then are a lot more serious than they need to have been.

"The prescription for loneliness, however, is relatively inexpensive and achievable, it is about helping older people in small ways. Food and nutrition are key to this."