Inquiry into
Loneliness and Isolation
Please see below views of Cardiff’s 50+
Forum members on what causes loneliness and isolation and what
needs to be done to help overcome these.
Members discussed the topic and indicated that
loneliness and isolation were not the same and indicated that they
could be a personal thing with it being different from person to
person. Member gave examples and indicated that whilst some people
have outgoing personalities and are able to mix well, others find
interacting with others difficult.
Members indicated that a host of evidence has
been produced in recent years indicating the links between
loneliness and isolation and health issues. They endorse this
evidence and indicated how they have seen this in their own
communities.
Members indicated that they either had
experienced loneliness and isolation themselves or that they had
friends or relatives who had. They indicated a range of reasons for
why loneliness and isolation can be encountered these included:
- Bereavement
- Family moving away
- Not having family
- Being away from old
neighbours / communities (due to downsizing / financial
constraints)
- Being shy / not mixing /
lack of confidence
- Loss of community
spirit
- Loss of transport
- Reliance on public
transport (especially in rural locations)
- Ill health (poor
mobility, dementia, sensory impairments)
- Lack of Dr’s
appointments leading to greater ill health
- Retirement
- Fear of crime
- Community facilities
closing (banks, community centres, post offices)
- Funding cuts to community
organisations / groups
- Poor public footpaths
resulting in fear of falling
- Lack of finances
- Lack of public
toilets
- Lack of information of
what is available / local activities
- Over reliance of ICT to
promote opportunities (not all older people have access to or want
to use ICT)
Members then discussed ways of overcoming
loneliness and isolation these included:
- Planning for retirement,
both financially and how to occupy time
- The promotion of
volunteering opportunities
- The promotion of services
giving financial / benefit take up advice
- Joining friendship clubs
or other community based groups / activities
- The promotion of learning
for fun
- Welsh Government / Local
authorities to provide funding for voluntary organisations such as
Age Connects or for Good neighbour schemes
- The provision and
promotion of befriending services
- The provision of
information about activities / groups available in local areas
- The provision of
community / local transport
- The provision of public
toilets
- Timely repair of
pavements
- More sheltered/ community
housing
- More intergenerational
activities
- More job opportunities
for older people (who want to work)
Members wanted to point out that many
initiatives have previously been implemented and have been seen to
be of benefit but due to lack of funding or the ending of grants
initiatives have come to an end. This needs to end.