As Christmas approaches, Age UK finds 1.7 million older people in England haven’t met up with a friend in a month

New analysis by Age UK has found that 1.7 million older people in England can go for a month without meeting up with a friend, and that 300,000 over 65s have not even had a conversation with family or friends over the same period.

Research commissioned by the charity also found that half a million older people across the UK are expecting to feel lonely this Christmas, of whom 4 in 5 (79%) have not sought any help for this. For half of those (52%), loneliness has become a ‘normal’ part of life.

The study also found that for more than half a million older people, Christmas isn’t something to look forward to because it brings back too many memories of people who have passed away and happier times.

In addition, more than 230,000 older people who will be on their own at least one day over the Christmas period (from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day) say they have no choice, it’s just how it is. Against this context it is little surprise that more than 530,000 people aged 65 and over aren’t looking forward to Christmas because for them it’s ‘just another day.’

Although loneliness is by no means an inevitable part of ageing, difficult life events that many experience as people get older, such as bereavement, serious illness or reducing mobility, can all be triggers for becoming more isolated and feeling lonelier.

Age UK and its local partners across the country work to combat loneliness through a range of services and activities, such as lunch clubs, exercise classes and advice and support when there’s no one else to turn to.

This winter the charity’s No one should have no one to turn to campaign aims to raise awareness of the vital and often life-changing support their free information and advice offers. Age UK’s Advice Line is a confidential phone service for older people, their families, friends and carers. It is staffed by a team of friendly expert advisers who can give support on a wide range of issues, such as coping with bereavement, tackling loneliness, managing health issues and dealing with money worries.

As part of the campaign a powerful new film, on air during December, highlights some of the challenges of later life which can be so much harder to bear if you are facing them alone. It shows how the Charity is there to help and features one of Age UK’s trained advisers, providing a calm, reassuring voice and expert support.

Age UK Ambassador Joanna Lumley OBE, said: “Sadly, the feelings of loneliness are too common in many older people’s lives and it’s really quite a worry. It can affect your mental and even physical health. These are things I’ve learnt from working with Age UK and the role I’ve played this year in Finding Your Feet, where I also realised the importance of having strong bonds and connections with people around you in your later years.

“We can see from this latest research that so many older people accept loneliness as part of life, so my plea is to take action for yourself or an older relative or friend who you think might be feeling isolated – call Age UK and find out what support might be available for you locally, or donate to Age UK and help them to support older people in need.”

Age UK Ambassador Dame Helen Mirren DBE, said: “There are many challenges we face when getting older but loneliness needn’t be one of them. It’s incredibly sad to find yourself being on your own with no one to turn to. Terrifyingly it could happen to any of us at any time, even when we least expect it.

“But it doesn’t have to be this way – Age UK is reaching out to everyone this winter to ask for their support so they can be there for even more older people. If you know someone that could benefit from their support, please help them get in touch. The difference they make really could be life changing.”

Caroline Abrahams, Age UK Charity Director, said: “There is far more awareness now of the problem of loneliness and as a result I think many families and friends make a real effort to be kind to older people, especially at this time of year. However, as our new research shows, sadly, some older people are still being left out in the cold and have no one at all to turn to for advice or support. So as well as doing your bit to be friendly to the older people you know please support us so we can be there for those who really are almost always on their own. No one should have to live like that in old age.”

Older people and their families or friends can call Age UK’s Advice Line for free on 0800 169 65 65, visit www.ageuk.org.uk  or contact their local Age UK to find out what help is available in their local area. The Advice Line is open 365 days a year from 8am to 7pm.

Age UK is encouraging people to get behind its campaign and to donate to help ensure that the Charity’s essential services and support can continue to be there for older people and their families and friends. For more information on No one should have no one to turn to or to donate, visit www.ageuk.org.uk/noone

Notes to editors:

Age UK is a national charity that works with a network of partners, including Age Scotland, Age Cymru, Age NI and local Age UKs across England, to help everyone make the most of later life, whatever their circumstances.

In the UK, the Charity helps more than seven million older people each year by providing advice and support.  It also researches and campaigns on the issues that matter most to older people. Its work focuses on ensuring that older people: have enough money; enjoy life and feel well; receive high quality health and care; are comfortable, safe and secure at home; and feel valued and able to participate.

Age UK’s subsidiary charity, Age International, supports older people globally in over 30 developing countries by funding programmes such as vital emergency relief and healthcare and campaigning to raise awareness and change policies.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and registered company number 6825798). Charitable services are provided through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity’s Community Interest Company (CiC) (registered company number 1102972) which donates its net profits to Age UK (the Charity)

• New analysis of latest analysis of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) Wave 8 shows, figures extrapolated by Age UK to national population using ONS Population Estimates 2017:
  • 1.7 million older people in England can go for a month without meeting up with a friend
  • 300,000 over 65s have not even had a conversation with family or friends over the same period
• All other figures, unless stated otherwise, are taken from Age UK/ Kantar TNS F2F Omnibus Research polling which took place from 14^th November – 4^th December 2018. The polling was conducted face-to-face and with a UK-wide sample of 1917 people aged 65+. Figures extrapolated to national population using latest ONS Population Estimates.
• Please contact the Age UK media team on 020 3033 1430, media@ageuk.org.uk for further information about the campaign, statistics, case study or to arrange an interview.

About Age UK’s Advice Line

The Age UK Advice Line provides free information and advice to help older people, and their families and friends, on topics as diverse as claiming benefits to staying healthy. The Advice Line is a free and confidential service, open 365 days a year, 8am–7pm, on 0800 169 6565.

About Age UK

Age UK is a national charity that works with a network of partners, including Age Scotland, Age Cymru, Age NI and local Age UKs across England, to help everyone make the most of later life, whatever their circumstances.

In the UK, the Charity helps more than seven million older people each year by providing advice and support.  It also researches and campaigns on the issues that matter most to older people. Its work focuses on ensuring that older people: have enough money; enjoy life and feel well; receive high quality health and care; are comfortable, safe and secure at home; and feel valued and able to participate

Age UK’s subsidiary charity, Age International, supports older people globally in over 30 developing countries by funding programmes such as vital emergency relief and healthcare and campaigning to raise awareness and change policies.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and registered company number 6825798). Charitable services are provided through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity’s Community Interest Company (CiC) (registered company number 1102972) which donates its net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

Age UK’s national partners

Age Cymru

Age Cymru’s Advice Line is a free, confidential and expert service. You can get in touch by phoning 08000 223 444, emailing advice@agecymru.org.uk or visiting www.agecymru.org.uk/advice  

For media enquiries in Wales contact Michael Phillips (Communications Manager) on 029 2043 1545 or 07794 366 224

Age NI

Age NI’s Advice Line provides free, independent and confidential advice and advocacy on a range of issues including care, health, housing and money. The Advice Line is free to call, and is open 365 days a year, 8am–7pm, on 0808 808 7575.

Age Scotland

Age Scotland’s confidential and free phone line is free to call and available Monday-Friday 9-5 pm on 0800 12 44 222.

Age Scotland is the independent sister charity to Age UK and is the national charity for older people in Scotland. Contact their press team on communications@agescotland.org.uk or 07801 500 663 to arrange a Scotland quote/interview with one of their spokespeople.

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[1] Age UK’s latest analysis of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) Wave 8. Figures extrapolated by Age UK to national population using ONS Population Estimates 2017

[1] Approx. 514,000 people aged 65+ (4 per cent) expect to feel lonely this Christmas. Kantar TNS F2F Omnibus Research polling for Age UK, Nov-Dec 2018 – sample of 1917 people aged 65+ in the UK. Figures extrapolated to national population using latest ONS Population Estimates.  

[1] 79 per cent of those who expect to feel lonely this Christmas have not sought any help or support to help them overcome feelings of loneliness at anytime. Kantar TNS F2F Omnibus Research polling for Age UK, Nov-Dec 2018.

[1] 52 per cent of those who have not sought help or support to overcome feelings of loneliness at anytime answered ‘It's just a normal part of my life now’ when asked, ‘What do you think stops you from seeking help or support to overcome feelings of loneliness?’ Kantar TNS F2F Omnibus Research polling for Age UK, Nov-Dec 2018.

[1] Approx. 519,000 people aged 65+. 20 per cent of people aged 65+ who aren’t looking forward to Christmas (22 per cent) selected, ‘Too many memories of people who have passed away and of happier times’ when asked why that is. Kantar TNS F2F Omnibus Research polling for Age UK, Nov-Dec 2018. Figures extrapolated to national population using latest ONS Population Estimates.  

[1] Approx. 232,000 people aged 65+. 15 per cent of people aged 65+ who will be on their own at least one day over the Christmas period (24 Dec – 1 Jan; 14 per cent), responded ‘I have no choice, it's just how it is.’ Kantar TNS F2F Omnibus Research polling for Age UK, Nov-Dec 2018. Figures extrapolated to national population using latest ONS Population Estimates.  

[1] Approx 536,000 people aged 65+. 20 per cent of people aged 65+ who aren’t looking forward to Christmas (22 per cent) selected, ‘It is just another day’ when asked why that is. Kantar TNS F2F Omnibus Research polling for Age UK, Nov-Dec 2018. Figures extrapolated to national population using latest ONS Population Estimates.