Loneliness in Older People - Online

Loneliness of the Fourth Age
Old age itself does not increase loneliness – rather there is an increase in the risk factors and
contributors to loneliness with increasing age eg. loss, living alone, isolation, poor health,
reduced mobility, increased frailty.
People living in the Fourth Age are more likely to:
• Live alone
• Be bereaved/widowed
• Have complex health issues
• Struggle with disabilities and reduced functional abilities
• Be socially isolated
Loneliness is often about loss – loss of contact, confidence, employment, relationships or
purpose. Those in the Fourth Age are commonly facing numerous losses, which contribute
to feelings of loneliness – loss of family, partner/spouse, health and physical ability, cognitive
impairment, social contacts/activities, meaningful and regular relationships or purpose in
community/life. For some people living in the Fourth Age, the opportunities for such meaningful
conversations and interactions may be very few – due to social isolation and loneliness.
Triggers which are likely to lead to loneliness for people in the Fourth Age include:
• Being widowed
• Living alone
• Having nobody to open up to or share concerns
• Poor health and/or deteriorating health
• Not feeling part of a social group or community
• Unable to do the things they want to – due to isolation, lack of money,
poor health etc
The Covid-19 pandemic has increased the social isolation and loneliness of many older people –
as they have been completely isolated, due to the need to shield for their own health protection,
comply with lockdown requirements of communities and follow isolation or social distancing
measures. Those living in the Fourth Age who live alone found themselves completely cut-off
from family, friends and society; only having contact with others by telephone, internet or at a
distance from the doorstep.
But the pandemic has brought to light the plight of many older people in the Fourth Age who
live alone and are lonely. People who had moved away for work or social reasons felt the impact
of great geographical distances from their older family members, being unable to travel to
visit; neighbourhoods sought to support older people in their communities with shopping and
doorstep visits; the needs of those living in care homes were brought to the fore, as social care
staff fought for access to supplies and medicines. Sadly, many older people, who were living
alone or in a care home, have died without being able to sit with a family member, see friends or
family in their last days of life, or say goodbye to their loved ones.
“Loneliness occurs when people’s ability to have meaningful
conversations and interactions is inhibited”
Age UK (2018)
11 | Loneliness in Older People