Dr Kellie PayneLearning and Research Manager

AARDMAN ANIMATION FOR BRISTOL AGEING BETTER PROGRAMME

Bristol Ageing Better Animation

loneliness in later life

LEARN about the prevalence of loneliness and why it is a major public health issue

DISCOVER how we can address the issue using our strategic approach to loneliness and the Campaign to End Loneliness framework

Today we will:

LONELINESS: IS SUBJECTIVE

the unwelcome feeling of a gap between the social connections we want and the ones we have

“Language... has created the word

‘loneliness; to express the pain of

being alone. And it has created

the word ‘solitude’ to express the

glory of being alone.”

Paul Johannes Tillich

DEFINING LONELINESS

It can be • Social or emotional• Transient, situational or chronic

ISOLATION: IS OBJECTIVE

a measure of the number of contacts or interactions

Over

80% of GPs in Wales say theysee 1-5 patients

each day who they think are lonely

LONELINESS IN THE UK

Approximately

60,000people aged 65+ in Wales say they feel lonely most or all of

the time.

10% of the population aged over 65 are often or always lonely 65+

1/2Of all older people (over 5 million) say television is their

main company

What we know:

Preventing and alleviating loneliness helps older people to remain more independent

76% GPs report 1-5 patients a day come to their surgery because they are lonely

The cost of being chronically lonely to the public sector on average is around £12,000 per person based on costs associated with GP and A&E visits

COSTLY TO HEATH AND SOCIAL CARE

COSTLY TO HEATH AND SOCIAL CARE

Reducing loneliness can boost independence by resulting in:

Fewer GP visits

Lower use of medication

Fewer days in hospital

Improved ability to cope after returning from hospital

Reduced inappropriate admission to care homes

Increased contribution of older people to society: sharing skills, knowledge and experience

HOW WE CAN ADDRESS THE ISSUE

We ask LOCAL AUTHORITIES , HEALTH AND WELLBEING BOARDS AND COMMISSIONERS to:

Develop an overall strategy for reducing loneliness and isolation amongst older people

- mapping local assets- highlighting gaps- developing strategies to identify the most lonely

Take a lead in delivering this strategy

Lead on the development of partnerships across the community to ensure that local resources are being used to best effect

Use the Campaign’s online Guidance for Local Authorities and Commissioners

Local Authorities should take a strategic approach to addressing loneliness in their local areas.

4 STEPS 1. Gather information2. Feed into strategy development3. Strengthen partnerships4. Monitor and evaluate

STRATEGIC APPROACH

1. Loneliness PrevalenceSee: Missing Million and Age UK Heat maps

2. Mapping loneliness services and local assets

3. Including older people’s voices

GATHER INFORMATION

Local commissioners will need to develop loneliness strategies and action plans according to their local circumstances.• Addressing gaps in loneliness

intervention framework• Targeted support• Importance of information provision• Active involvement of older people• Commissioning against outcomes

STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT

LONELINESS FRAMEWORK

Foundation Services

DirectInterventions

Gateway Services

Structural Enablers

Reach

Understand

Support

Existing relationships

New connections

Change thinking

Transport

Technology

Community

Volunteering

Positive ageing

http://campaigntoendloneliness.org/guidance/

• Understanding risk factors & using existing data to predict and ‘map’ where the most lonely/isolated residents live

• Eyes & feet on the ground

• Establish systems with health services to identify and refer individuals

• Mass media and mailouts

• Business as usual methods

• Specific needs must be understood to ensure interventions are personalised and appropriate

FOUNDATION SERVICES

One-to-one approaches

For individuals with difficulty making new connections or with physical barriers

Generally befriending services

Specialist models available for at-risk groups

Schemes often expand to engage recipients to become befrienders

Groups for new connections

Social activities are particularly effective when targeted at specific groups, i.e. men

Also effective when they involve participants in running the group

Offer additional benefits such as health promotion and learning

NEW CONNECTIONS

Mindfulness

A popular technique for people to stop and reflect

Sessions offer the safety and comfort of a group

Invites people to betterunderstand themselves

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

People focus on their habitual patterns to see what is more and less helpful

Lonely people may choose to make changes that help them better engage with and connect with others

PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Transport

Vital to support existing relationships and help people develop new relationships

Community transport should be flexible and responsive

Public transport should be accessible and affordable

Driving conditions should be age-friendly

Technology

Supports existing relationships

Creates/sustains new relationships

Can support independent living for longer

Older people should be assisted to make technology work for them

SUPPORT & MAINTAIN RELATIONSHIPS

Neighbourhood approaches

Older people can feel more committed/connected to their locality

Neighbourhood level interventions can be more manageable and outreach more targeted

Asset Based Community Development

Local assets could be time, under-used buildings, mini-buses, land etc.

Key stages:- mapping assets and capacities- building relationships - mobilising residents - convening a core group of residents

NEIGHBOURHOODS

Outdoor spaces and buildings

Transport

Housing

Social participation

Respect and social inclusion

Civic participation and employment

Communication and information

Community support and health services

AGE-FRIENDLY CITIES & COMMUNITIES

1. An integrated approach across local authority functionsIncl: Planning, transport, housing and social participation

2. Strong public and voluntary partnerships

3. Health and wellbeing board members delivering together

STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIPS

Planning an evaluation

What are the desired outcomes?

What services or mechanisms are delivering these outcomes?

How they will be measured?

Who will measure them, and when?

How long the evaluation will run for?

How will the information be used?

What are the savings to local health and social care (return on investment)

EVALUATING YOUR IMPACT

Loneliness scales

Campaign to End Loneliness measurement tool

the De Jong Gierveldloneliness scale

the UCLA loneliness scale

single-item scale

LEARNED what the prevalence of loneliness is in the UK and the reason it should be taken seriously as a public health issue

DISCOVERED how to develop a strategic approach to tackling loneliness using the Campaign to End Loneliness framework

Today we have:

Find out more

campaigntoendloneliness.orgTwitter: @EndLonelinessUK

Email: info@campaigntoendloneliness.org.uk Phone: 020 7012 1411