Social Isolation and Loneliness Brent JSNA 2015
Summary Social Isolation and Loneliness In England, over a third of people aged 65 or over lives alone, and 70% of these people are female. Brent has 30,616 households with people living on their own according to the 2011 census. Of these, 29% (or 8,808 people) are aged 65 and over. Social isolation is a lack of social interaction, contact, or communication with other people. However, it should be noted that social isolation differs from loneliness. Loneliness is different in that it is the feeling of being alone or isolated. Social isolation can occur at any time across the life course. Although social isolation is most common in the elderly, younger adults can still suffer social isolation. Social isolation and loneliness have a detrimental effect on health and wellbeing. In 2013/14, 39.3% of adult social care users in Brent reported that they have as much social contact as they would like. This was worse than the England average of 44.5% (Adult Social Care Survey, England). People who are adult carers were measured against whether they felt they had enough social contact. 23.9% of this group in Brent felt that they did have as much which was below the England average of 41% in 2012/13. In Brent, a number initiatives have been put in place to tackle social isolation. These include the Social Isolation in Brent Initiative (SIBI), which is a project designed with the input of a range of key partners which aims to tackle social isolation in Brent s communities in all risk groups aged 18 years and over. Page 1
Pensioners who live alone and associated loneliness Analysis of 2011 census data The 2011 census shows that a total of 8,808 adults aged 65 years and over reported themselves as living alone. This represents 27% of the total population of residents aged 65 and over living in Brent. The map opposite shows where the highest proportion of pensioners who live alone are located. The higher proportion of older people living alone live in wards in the south-east of the borough, with 40% of pensioners in Kilburn living alone. Living alone increases the likelihood that an older person feels isolated in their community. There are various risk factors for loneliness (Campaign to End Loneliness, 2013). The following factors may increase the vulnerability of older people feeling isolated: Living alone Being aged 75 and over Being from an ethnic minority Living on a low income, or living in an area of high material deprivation Bereavement Caring or ceasing a caring role Source: ONS 2011 Census Page 2
Social Isolation in Brent Proportion of pensioners living alone across Brent Social isolation, loneliness and higher levels of deprivation are all linked with pensioners who live alone. Social isolation is a lack of social interaction, contact, or communication with other people. Loneliness is different in that it is the feeling of being alone or isolated. Although social isolation is most common in the elderly, younger adults can still suffer social isolation. Social isolation and loneliness have a detrimental effect on health and wellbeing. In 2013/14, 39.3% of adult social care users in Brent reported that they have as much social contact as they would like. This was worse than the England average of 44.5% (Adult Social Care Survey, England). People who are adult carers were measured against whether they felt they had enough social contact. 23.9% of this group in Brent felt that they did have as much which was below the England average of 41% in 2012/13 (Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England, (HSCIC)). The number of older people in Brent aged 65 years and above will increase from 36,000 in 2015 to 52,900 in 2030, an increase of 47% (POPPI). Given this projected rise, the number of people in Brent aged 65 and over who are likely to be affected by social isolation and loneliness is forecast to increase significantly. The Care and Support White Paper states plans to encourage communities to reach out to those at risk of isolation (Department of Health, 2012c). In Brent, a number initiatives have been put in place to address social isolation. These include the Social Isolation in Brent Initiative (SIBI) which is a project designed with the input of a range of key partners which aims to tackle social isolation in Brent s communities in all risk groups aged 18 years and over. Page 3
% Social Contact Percentage of adult social care users who have as much social contact as they would like 46 44 Brent London England 42 40 38 36 34 32 30 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 Source: Adult Social Care Survey, England Page 4
Data sources Campaign to End Loneliness (2013), Loneliness and Isolation: a toolkit for health and well-being boards. Fact Sheet: Statistics : http://campaigntoendloneliness.org/guidance/ Public Health England, Public Health Outcomes Framework Page 5