Loneliness in later life: how it harms health, and what actually helps

Loneliness is not a personal failing and it is not an inevitable part of ageing. It is a health risk, and like most health risks it responds to the right support. This article explains what loneliness does to older people, why it is so common after 70, and what the evidence says works.

What does loneliness do to an older person's health?

Long-term loneliness increases the risk of coronary heart disease by around 29% and stroke by around 32%, and it roughly doubles the risk of developing dementia. It is also strongly linked to depression, poor sleep and higher blood pressure. The Campaign to End Loneliness summarises the research as being as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and more harmful than obesity.

The mechanism is physical as well as emotional. People who are lonely tend to move less, eat less well, take medication less reliably and see a GP later than people with company. Small problems go unnoticed until they become emergencies, which is one reason loneliness fills A&E departments every winter.

How common is loneliness among older people in the UK?

Age UK estimates that 1.4 million older people in England are often lonely, and around half a million go five or six days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone. The most common triggers are the loss of a partner, retirement, children moving away, giving up driving, and health changes such as hearing loss or reduced mobility that make leaving the house harder.

It is also often hidden. Many older people do not want to be a burden, so they say they are fine. If you are worried about a relative, our guide to the signs an older parent may need more support lists what to look for.

What helps most with loneliness in later life?

The strongest evidence is for regular one-to-one contact with the same person over time, not one-off events. A befriender who visits every Tuesday, or a caller who rings at ten each morning, gives structure to the week and builds a real relationship. Group activities help too, especially those with a purpose, such as a community shed or a choir, because conversation comes more easily when people are doing something together.

• Befriending visits: a trained volunteer visits at the same time each week. How befriending works.
• Telephone befriending: a daily or weekly call from the same person, ideal for people who cannot get out.
• Purposeful groups: our Men in Sheds workshop in Stafford is open to anyone who would enjoy practical projects in good company.
• Practical help with the barriers: hearing checks, help with transport, and claiming benefits such as PIP that pay for the support people need to get out.

What can families do from a distance?

Ring at a predictable time, because knowing a call is coming is almost as valuable as the call itself. Ask about the week ahead rather than only the past. Arrange something regular locally, whether that is a befriender, a lunch club or a neighbour who pops in. And watch for the practical barriers: a broken hearing aid, a bus route that has changed, or a benefit claim that has lapsed. Our practical checklist for helping a parent who lives alone covers each of these.

Frequently asked questions