Loneliness is 'hidden killer' of Elderly

[IRONm@N]

By Sean Coughlan

BBC News education and family correspondent
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Loneliness is the "hidden killer" of elderly people, says a campaign group, which is calling for greater recognition of the link between isolation and ill-health.

A group of charities is launching the Campaign to End Loneliness.

It warns that lonely older people are at increased risk of depression, lack of exercise and bad diet.

The campaign says that almost one in 10 elderly people suffers from "intense" loneliness.

The campaign group wants loneliness to be recognised as a public health issue - and has published a survey claiming that fewer than one in five people is aware of the link between poor health and loneliness.

The campaign has been set up by Independent Age, Age UK Oxfordshire, Counsel and Care and WRVS and funded by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

Trapped
While people are aware of the emotional problems of loneliness, the campaign says few recognise the physical damage.

It warns of elderly people trapped in their own homes by a lack of mobility and the loss of family and friends

A lack of social interaction can make old people more vulnerable to depression and to problems such as excessive drinking, poor diet and a reduction in exercise.

The campaigners say that "loneliness adversely affects the immune and cardio-vascular systems" and a lack of social interaction is linked to the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

"The problems of loneliness and isolation need to be put on an equal footing with any other condition associated with ageing. Ending loneliness should be part of the solution to the challenge of reforming care and support," said campaign director Laura Ferguson.

The campaign wants to highlight the importance of loneliness in the lives of the elderly.
More than half of people over the age of 75 are living alone - and about one in 10 says he or she suffers from "intense" loneliness.

According to the campaign, almost one in five old people sees family, friends or neighbours less than once a week - and about one in 10 of them experiences such social interaction less than once a month.
A spokeswoman for the campaign says that there is a need for informal and formal attempts to tackle such loneliness, either through organised befriending schemes or through neighbours helping one another.

She said that it was a problem that was often overlooked and which could manifest itself in other ways, such as health problems.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-12324231

[djibsomali]

i know one member of somalinet who lives in USA who is victim of this killer

[Monsieur]

i know one member of somalinet who lives in USA who is victim of this killer

and about loneliness, i think its because children and grandchildren dont care about their parents/grandparents. Mostly Cadaans do this, they just care about their own life and money.

[Basra-]

This problem does not exist in the somali elderly.As long as you have imaan-- you wont feel alone. Allaah swt is always with you. Somali elders find each other and congregate on the latest gossip. That is healthy by the way.

[Scarletmoon1]

That's good less ppl in the world.

[IRONm@N]

This problem does not exist in the somali elderly.As long as you have imaan-- you wont feel alone. Allaah swt is always with you. Somali elders find each other and congregate on the latest gossip. That is healthy by the way.

Basra have you gone to Senior buildings, where old Somali ppl live, while their children most of them raised in the West go about their lives either working or going to college. they visit their parents one or twice a week.
Some old Somali ppl were brought here alone or through sponsor with other ppl --who move to other states. I have seen a lot of Somali elders, who either need a translator or someone to give them a ride to the hospital.

[Basra-]

Iron

Well, its ok. Definitely, there wont be african style where u have old parents living with u. The western world independancy is built of living separately. Of course its a challenge for somali elders-- but most of them take the public transport. The problem with Somali elders is--they like to depend on other somalis. They are a social people, they rather go to the somali mall and ask for a ride rather than be self sufficient and take the public transport. So it depends, maybe their way is better. Studies shows socialization helps--and them going to the somali mall to seek rides, make them interact with people.

[Monsieur]

This problem does not exist in the somali elderly.As long as you have imaan-- you wont feel alone. Allaah swt is always with you. Somali elders find each other and congregate on the latest gossip. That is healthy by the way.

Basra have you gone to Senior buildings, where old Somali ppl live, while their children most of them raised in the West go about their lives either working or going to college. they visit their parents one or twice a week.
Some old Somali ppl were brought here alone or through sponsor with other ppl --who move to other states. I have seen a lot of Somali elders, who either need a translator or someone to give them a ride to the hospital.

Akhass aleyk, i didnt know Somalis started doing that shit too

[MakhiriIbnArabi]

Sometimes I hit my ayeeyo so she dies quicker.

[BlackVelvet]

It is really sad. Somalis won't be exempt, what happens when all the kids get married and move away?

[Hyperactive]

where i live Qatar some already send their fathers and mothers to elderly housing and pay for others to take care of their parents and becoming so popular to do that!!!

it's sad people becoming very selfish like that!!