Combating loneliness among older people

According to the Campaign To End Loneliness, more than half the country’s 75-year-olds currently live alone which increases the likelihood of mortality by 26 per cent.

As we deliver housing, care and support to 40,000 older people from our 1,000 locations across England, Anchor does its utmost to prevent this.

The older people living in retirement housing properties, like mine, benefit from living in a thriving community.

As the manager, I am also around if they should need any support.

That is why I welcome the Government’s decision to appoint Tracey Crouch as its Minister for Loneliness.

We wish her every success.

And local retailers can also help older people, particularly those living alone, to reduce their sense of loneliness.

Anchor’s Standing Up 4 Sitting Down campaign is asking retailers to provide seating so that older shoppers, as well as disabled people and pregnant women, can rest while they are doing their shopping.

A shopping trip may be a weekly chore for many but for some older people living alone it’s a chance for social interaction and could be a life saver.

Joanne Harper

Manager, The Laurels, Thorne Road, Doncaster