Joanna Lumley leads campaign to tackle loneliness among 1.2 million older Britons | United Kingdom | News
Dame Joanna Lumley is behind a campaign to alert Britain to the deadly scourge of loneliness.
A stark new analysis has revealed the true scale of the hidden emergency: 1.2 million people aged over 65 are set to be wiped out by 2034 unless urgent action is taken to resolve the crisis.
As many say, Christmas magnifies feelings of isolation and depression.
Ab Fab actress Dame Joanna, 78, who successfully campaigned to grant Gurkha veterans who served in the army the right to settle in Britain, said: “Christmas is such a special time for many of us, but imagine not having anyone to do it. even say hello to. This can be an isolating and lonely time for many older people, but Age UK is doing everything we can to help end this.
“Unfortunately, it’s not all fun and laughter for everyone; This can be an extremely lonely time for many seniors who will spend the holidays completely alone.
The Age UK Ambassador added: “Knowing that Age UK is here to help, with its advice line and Silver Line support open every day of the year – including Christmas Day – is a reason to rejoice, and it would be truly wonderful if we all gave what we could to support these important services. Your kindness could really make someone’s Christmas.
The plea comes after the Express defended the work of The Silver Line, Britain’s only national 24-hour helpline for older people, founded in 2013 by Dame Esther Rantzen, 84. In the decade since its launch, it has reached 5 million people. calls, but demand continues to increase.
In a distressing example of the profound but little-known impact of loneliness in Britain, some 2.3 million older people say they would like to have someone to spend time with at Christmas, and 1.6 million consider Christmas Day to be the hardest day of the year. .
For more than 4.2 million struggling older people, Christmas brings back precious memories of deceased loved ones, while a million over-65s say the cost of living crisis will isolate them more than ever. Never. The holidays amplify feelings of isolation and loneliness as routine services, which many rely on for help and support, are closed and shops close.
Alfred Brown, a widower, went weeks without seeing anyone and realized that loneliness kills.
The 90-year-old retired factory worker from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, has lived alone since the death of his wife eight years ago and now only leaves the house for medical appointments.
He suffers from dizziness which has led to falls and, with no children and only one surviving sibling, he had little contact with the outside world until his GP recommended Age UK’s befriending service. Wakefield.
He has now been given a new lease of life thanks to weekly visits from fellow volunteer Lauren, who comes over for a cup of tea, a chat and to discuss whatever he needs help with.
Alfred said: “Loneliness kills in a sense. I didn’t see anyone for days, weeks and months. Everyone works, or seems to, and good neighbors don’t exist. It was just loneliness.
“Lauren broke that loneliness for an hour and a half a week and I am very grateful.
“She comes, she is very friendly and sociable. She puts the kettle on, we have a cup of tea, a few laughs from my old days and she is amazed at what life was like.
Lauren’s visits help Alfred stay connected to a world from which he would otherwise be isolated.
He said: “I haven’t left the house except to go to the bin for about six months. Lauren’s visits are something to look forward to once a week.
“I hope to gradually be able to sit outside a little longer. I hope next year will be a better year.
The Silver Line, now part of Age UK, is also supported by Dame Joan Collins, 91, ambassador for the association, and Queen Camilla, 77, patron since 2017.
There are around 1.2 million lonely older people in the UK today, 500,000 of whom live five days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone. Half of people aged 75 and over live alone.
Operating day and night 365 days a year, the helpline has become the emergency service for those who are too proud to ask for help.
Most callers just want to hear a friendly, reassuring voice or someone to say goodnight. For many, it helps ward off the crippling loneliness when it strikes in the middle of the night.
There are now 3.2 million people aged 80 or over in the UK, of whom 600,000 are aged 90 or over.
Dame Esther, 84, said: “The number of isolated older people we have supported through our helpline and volunteer friends is proof that hundreds of thousands of older people are isolated and left to struggle alone against an atrocious loneliness.
“Many older people tell us that there is literally no one else with whom they can share a memory, talk, or reveal their deepest feelings. Some callers call us, they tell us, because they need to say goodnight to someone. Others because, they say, they do not want to make their family feel lonely.
“Some people truly believe that they are past their expiration date and have no role to play in today’s world. As a society, we must correct this situation and ensure that our precious older people, to whom we owe so much, continue to feel valued.
Caroline Abrahams, director of the charity Age UK, said: “Loneliness is a year-round problem for many older people, but is often intensified by the shorter, colder days we experience in winter. As the holiday season approaches, there will never be a better time to renew our commitment to helping older people enjoy their lives, free from the scourge of loneliness. We can do it if we try.
