Older People's Strategy - Newcastle City Council

70Outcome 3cOlder people will have good social networksIssues and prioritiesThe English Longitudinal Study on Ageing (see Annex 7,Note 13) found that 29% of older people are excluded throughlack of social relations and that this increases with age. Olderpeople emphasise the importance of good relationships withfamily and friends, having a role, feeling useful and beingtreated with respect as important aspects of quality of lifealongside good health and a good home.The first report from the UK Inquiry into Mental Health andWellbeing in Later Life (Age Concern and Mental HealthFoundation) identifies depression as the most common mentalhealth problem in later life. It states that there are currently up to2.4 million older people with depression severe enough to impairquality of life. It recommends that taking action to promote mentalhealth and well-being in later life will benefit the whole of societyby maintaining older people’s social and economic contributions,minimising the costs of care and improving quality of life.The reasons why people become isolated are multiple. Forexample, retirement when a job has been the main source ofsocial contact and friendships; caring responsibilities; loss ofcontact with family; bereavement; low income; declining health;and sensory loss.Once people start to withdraw, it becomes harder to find the rightway to encourage and support them to re-build social contacts.The consequences of withdrawing often lead to depression,ill−health and resulting demands on health and care services.