A report also found that the cost to the NHS of treating problems relating to loneliness is £7.2billion a year.
There are 1.2 million chronically lonely old aged pensioners in the UK and three-quarters will not admit they are alone and do not want to be a burden.
Ninety per cent of Britons believe that loneliness in old age is “more likely than ever”.
Laura Alcock Ferguson, of the Campaign To End Loneliness, which commissioned the study, warned the “epidemic is isolating millions” but she added: “Loneliness is not inevitable.”
According to the Campaign, around 17 per cent of older people see friends, family and neighbours less than once a week, while one in 10 go for at least four weeks without seeing any loved ones.
A survey by the charity found that for two fifths of older people, almost 4 million, regard television as their major source of company.
Recent figures from the Office of National Statistics show that Britain is the loneliness capital of Europe.
Britons are less likely overall to know their neighbours or have strong friendships than people anywhere else in the EU, the study says.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/857441/loneliness-UK-statistics-NHS-health-problems
“A survey by the charity found that for two fifths of older people, almost 4 million, regard television as their major source of company.”
Now THAT’S scary!
Cats make excellent companions. 🙂
I actually prefer THEIR company to that of clueless sheeple.