We welcome the Centre for Ageing Better’s report, The State of Ageing 2019. It shows that many of us have plenty to look forward to in later life and most people in later life report feeling connected to their communities, families and friends. But our ageing society faces pressing social and economic issues and many people will face hardship.
We know that loneliness can and does affect people of all ages, as the report suggests. We also know that it’s harder to overcome loneliness in older age and that the risk of chronic loneliness is higher.
Older people are more likely to face life-changing events like retirement, long-term illness or bereavement. These events can happen in quick succession or even at the same time, and can compound existing feelings of loneliness.
Loneliness is a problem for our entire society, and it’s important we recognise the impact it has on older people especially.
