WINTER WATCH 2014: FIGHTING LONELINESS THIS WINTER Key messages from LRF Partners

WINTER RISKS More than half of all 75 year olds in the UK live alone One in ten suffers from ‘intense’ loneliness but are reluctant to ask for help Many people spend more than a day/a week without talking to anyone A survey revealed that 9 out of 10 older people saw ‘a chat on the phone’ as the most helpful solution when they felt lonely, but 1 in 4 said they never or seldom have someone to talk to on the phone Loneliness is seen as a serious threat to physical and mental health * Loneliness can increase during the winter months, when older people may find it harder to get out and about. That person could be someone you know: perhaps a relative, friend or neighbour. *Statistics: The Silver Line

A HELPING HAND… A NUMBER OF CHARITIES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED TO ALEVIATE LONELINESS AND HELP THOSE IN NEED: Silver Line is a confidential, free charity helpline offering information, friendship and advice to older people. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Silver Line team can help alleviate loneliness via regular telephone calls, s or written letters. They can also put people in touch with local groups and services.

SILVER LINE… “The truth about older people is that many of them have led long and fascinating lives but often feel that nobody is interested in their experiences. So they are reluctant to talk about it and more than half of callers to The Silver Line callers tell us they have no one to speak to at all apart from The Silver Line. Becoming a Silver Line Friend is an immensely rewarding and enjoyable thing to do, and our volunteers tell us they get as much out of the conversations as the older people they chat to”. Esther Rantzen CBE, President and Founder of The Silver Line

INDEPENDENT AGE Another charity which can help is Independent Age which adopts an ABC policy in order to address the three types of poverty encountered by older people: financial, social and information. The charity offers advice on a wide range of issues: from how to get help at home and access benefits to advice on moving into a care home. Independent Age produces the ‘Wise Guide – Happy, Healthy, Connected,’ which is full of ideas on ways that older people can combat the effects of loneliness and isolation. It offers support and advice for older people living alone and shows that there are lots of things they can do to keep in touch with friends and family, stay active, get involved with activities and live life to the full, whatever their stage of life. To order a free copy telephone or visit The charity also offers a range of befriending services to alleviate loneliness. Call to find out more.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP… Call in on a lonely friend, relative or neighbour to see how they are If they cannot get out and about as much during the winter, why not offer to run some errands for them, or do their weekly shop when you do yours? Other ‘top-tips’ include encouraging them do their shopping online so it is delivered straight to their door, ensuring their medicine cupboard is stocked up and ensuring they have emergency numbers to hand or in their mobile phone.

EXTRA INFORMATION THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES ARE PACKED FULL OF INFORMATION ON HOW TO FIGHT LONELYNESS THIS WINTER: NHS Choices: px px Independent Age information: and Silverline: