WGPlus (Archive)

The WGPlus editorial team is now signing off for its holiday period with Seasonal Greetings to all our readers. Our first offering for 2017 will be published w/c January 16th.

It’s difficult to be ‘Merry’ on your own

982,200 of people aged over 60 feel lonelier at Christmas time, according to new figures from Age UK.  And to highlight what a difficult time Christmas is for many older people, BHF have released two short films with actors James Bolam MBE and Miriam Margolyes OBE.

The films show the actors narrating real-life stories of loneliness to support Age UK’s No one should have no one at Christmas campaign.  These poignant films are the real personal stories of Roy and Janet, who are supported by Age UK’s telephone befriending service that provides weekly friendship calls. 

Age UK’s telephone befriending service relies on dedicated volunteers who are matched to lonely and isolated older people based on shared interests, and make regular phone calls to offer friendship, support and practical advice.  Although loneliness is a problem all year round, the Charity is calling on people to remember those facing Christmas alone by pledging their support for the campaign.

In addition a new quality standard NICE urges councils, housing organisations and the voluntary sector to work together to identify vulnerable older people.  Those most at risk should be directed to dancing or swimming clubs; arts groups or singing programmes or helping with reading in schools; as well as volunteering and befriending programmes
Researched Links:

Age UK:  Nearly 1m older people feel lonelier at Christmas

NICE calls on third sector and public bodies to work together to prevent loneliness in older people

Life is what you make of it mostly

People need people

A healthier outcome which could be self-financing

New reading friends for older people supported by £2.1m grant

Fears of loneliness in old age are largely unfounded

Age UK:  Loneliness among older men with poor health a growing problem

There’s something about Mary – Janice Holt

LGA:  Loneliness a major public health concern, say councils

NHS top doctor says ‘don’t let elderly be lonely this Christmas’

Inaction on social isolation will hit frontline NHS – Mervyn Kohler

Breaking the mould of loneliness – Paula Bee

Launch of the first free 24 hour helpline for older people

DEMOS:  Boring, isolated and lonely: Britain’s damaging perceptions of our care homes

Majority of people living alone with dementia feel lonely, Alzheimer’s Society reports

Age UK:  Life without a bus would be worse, say 9 out of 10

£120m to make ageing demographic timebomb an opportunity

Give the January blues a rosy tint by volunteering to help others

Facing the Future...find out more