Lanterna Rally

Author: Helen McCarthy

Publisher: Demos

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 72

ISBN-13: 1841801283

We are more likely to be lonely tomorrow as a result of the freedoms we enjoy today. The risk of loneliness in old age is on the rise due to changing ways of life in Britain. Our families are more fragmented, more people are childless and we are living longer, which all increase our chances of being socially isolated in later life. A growing number of older people can be expected to be housebound with minimum social contact. Many of these risk factors are associated with social progress and independence, particularly for younger people. But they make it harder for us to sustain the social networks on which we may have to rely for support as we grow older. Policy-makers have tried to protect older people against isolation through efforts to integrate health and social care services, and to involve older users more actively in making decisions about their own care. Yet more must be done to improve the quality of life of those living housebound lives. Over 30 people die alone and unnoticed in their own homes each year, and one in six older people living alone rate themselves as ‘often or always lonely’.Unless significant changes occur, by 2021 nearly 2.2 million over-65s will be socially isolated. The benefits of promoting independent living for older people are enormous, for individuals, our public services and wider society. Extending years of active life will allow older people to play a full role in family life and in their local communities. Home Alone argues that users need to become ‘co-producers’ of personalised services. Policy-makers must learn from the voluntary and community sectors to help older housebound people develop their own networks of support.