Loneliness harms older people’s health, research shows

Loneliness can have a significant impact on the physical and mental health of older people and is of increasing concern for public health, a new study shows.

A report from the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) suggests that about 10% of older people are affected by chronic or persistent loneliness. It also finds that loneliness among older people may be linked to depression, increased nursing home admission, decreased quality of life, and cognitive decline.

The report — compiled by Brian Harvey and Kathy Walsh for the ageing research and development division at IPH — examines loneliness in particular among older people, and the policy and service interventions to tackle the issue.

It argues that loneliness can be tackled by health and social policies and, therefore, needs to be addressed in a manner that will maximise the impact of interventions and services.

“Loneliness is an issue that is frequently talked about but often misunderstood,” said Dr Roger O’Sullivan, director of the ageing research and development division of IPH.

“It is a feeling that can occur to any of us from time to time, at a particular stage in life or associated with specific life events.

“However, chronic loneliness is where a person feels lonely most or all of the time. There is evidence that the negative impacts of loneliness on health and mental wellbeing are particularly significant for older people.

“This research highlights the importance of understanding the type and the causes of loneliness and the groups most at risk as a key first step to designing the most effective interventions.”

Meanwhile, both Age Action and ALONE, charities catering to the elderly, criticised yesterday’s ESRI report suggesting older people should be incentivised to move out of their homes. Age Action said the report ignores the lack of housing options for many older people.

Justin Moran, head of advocacy and communications at Age Action, said the report seemed to ignore the lack of choice faced by many older people. “Successive Irish government have failed to plan for our ageing population,” he said. “There is an enormous lack of step-down and sheltered housing options for older people in Ireland compared to what is available to our European neighbours.”

The CEO of ALONE, Sean Moynihan, echoed Age Action’s concerns. “The report is ignoring the fact that there is actually a shortage of suitable homes and housing for older people,” he said.