Page 23 - OCF Oxfordshire Uncovered

The chances of premature death are raised by 30% for those who are lonely
ISOLATION
LONELINESS
Limited geographical access to services such as shops, hospitals and post of ces
Personal, subjective sense of lacking affection, closeness, and social interaction
Loneliness and isolation
ANALYSIS
Oxfordshire has some inherent geographical and demographic characteristics that make its population vulnerable to isolation and loneliness.
Firstly, it is the most rural county of South East England. There is a preponderance of people living in small hamlets – especially in South Oxfordshire.
Secondly, Oxfordshire has an ageing population. Between the 2001 and 2011 censuses, the number of over-65s grew from 14.5% to 16% of the population. This trend is likely to continue, with the number of people aged over 85 projected to double over the next two decades. Older people who experience high levels of isolation are almost twice as likely to die within six years compared with those who feel engaged in relationships and the community.
Thirdly, the immigrant population is growing. About two thirds of Oxfordshire’s population growth is down to immigration (the other third due to births exceeding deaths). In 2014 net international migrants totalled 3,712.
And nally, there is a signi cant minority living with disabilities. Because one in six people are living with a disability or impairment, and a high proportion of people are living alone, there is a great demand for care from local services, charities and families.
Isolation and loneliness are different but interrelated concepts:
Clearly, factors inherent to particular neighbourhoods result in a high degree of isolation, and this in turn can lead to loneliness, with a huge impact on mental and physical health.
Some of the health risks associated with loneliness include:
• Depression and suicide
• Cardiovascular disease and stroke
• Increased stress levels
• Decreased memory and learning
• Poor decision-making
• Alcoholism and drug abuse
• Faster progression of dementia.
Recent medical research has shown the effects of loneliness to be as detrimental to health as:
• Smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day • Drinking too much alcohol
• Not exercising.
It is also thought to be twice as harmful as obesity.
The demographic pressures and consequences of loneliness increase demand for both health and social services. A national survey of GPs in 2013 found that three quarters saw up to
ve people per day who they thought had come in mainly because they were lonely. It is a concern to us that our sense of neighbourliness or compassion seems to have waned.
Despite the complex and harmful effects of loneliness, some of the preventative and curative measures that have been the most effective are surprisingly simple. Befriending services and activity groups, to keep isolated people active and socialising, can cost around £80 per person per year, and result in monetary savings of around £300 per person per year just by reducing the rate of depression. This means that for every pound spent on services such as these, society could be saving almost £4 – as well as helping communities to build stronger links, and promoting genuine wellbeing.
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