LONELINESS Awareness Week runs from June 15-21, 2026. The week campaigns to raise awareness and inspire conversations around loneliness. Leading safeguarding training company, High Speed Training, addresses how to help combat loneliness in older people.
Why is it important for us to address loneliness?
It is possible to be isolated without feeling lonely, just as it is equally possible to experience loneliness whilst seeming to have a wealth of social contacts. For this reason, we need to be able to spot signs of loneliness in ourselves and others.
Loneliness can be hard to define – the experience of it, its causes and the effects it has are personalised. Not only does the experience differ between individuals, but each of us may experience loneliness differently at different stages of our lives.
Dr. Richard Anderson, Learning Experience Director at High Speed Training said:
“It is important for us to spark conversations around loneliness awareness, especially in older people, as research shows us that those experiencing loneliness are likely to have an increased risk of inactivity, smoking or risk-taking behaviours, coronary heart disease or stroke, depression, stress and low self-esteem, sleeping problems, and even cognitive decline and Alzheimers.
“Older people can be more prone to social isolation leading to loneliness than younger people, for a variety of reasons.”
The Campaign to End Loneliness highlights that half a million older people go at least five or six days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone at all, with 59% of those aged 85 and over, and 38% of those aged 75 to 84, living alone (1).
Signs of social isolation in older people
There is still a perceived stigma to admitting that you are lonely, despite many campaigns over recent years to promote discussion about the issue. Older people in your life might not feel comfortable letting you know that they are experiencing loneliness, so it is important that you are alert to other signs of social isolation and loneliness.
These might include:
Neglecting their personal care, including their personal hygiene.
Not eating properly.
Changing their routine – for example, staying in bed later than they would usually.
Expressing low self-esteem.
Generally not seeming their usual self.
Top 10 tips for combatting loneliness in older people
Make time to chat. This could be pausing to say hello and pass the time of day with a neighbour, or visiting or phoning an older relative for a chat. Very simple interactions can help us to feel more connected and lessen social isolation.
Embrace volunteering. This can work in a range of ways. Older people putting themselves forward as volunteers can be hugely beneficial. If you are someone seeking to support older people in your local community, then volunteering through organisations such as Age UK or Re-engage could be a rewarding option.
Ask if you can help with errands. Offering practical help can be particularly useful. This could be doing some shopping, posting parcels, helping with the garden, clearing paths, taking bins out, etc. However, do be mindful how you offer help – especially if you are not well-acquainted with the person.
Encourage digital inclusion. Offering to help older people that you know to build their digital skills could be a powerful way of helping them build connections.
Share contact details. This is a simple thing to do but one that could prove to be an important lifeline for a socially isolated person in later life. Make sure that your older neighbours or relatives have access to all the emergency phone numbers they may need, including your own. If the person has any problems whilst home alone they can give you a call, assured that you’re nearby and are willing to help.
Share details of community groups and activities. This could be an activity particularly geared at the older community, including intergenerational programmes, or something general for all ages, such as walking groups, faith groups, choirs, ‘knit and natter’ sessions or history society meetings. A regular activity to attend can provide an opportunity to meet new people, learn new things and establish more connections.
Offer lifts. Depending on where they live, there may be good public transport links, with funding schemes for older people, but many people find themselves isolated due to lack of transport.
Share something delicious. Asking someone over for lunch or dinner, or even for a cup of tea, not only provides some social interaction but also could ensure that person is benefiting from some home-cooked meals. Similarly, if you visit an older person, take a gift of a few portions of something easy to freeze – such as lasagne, casserole or even a roast dinner – that they can eat at a later date.
Avoid cancelling plans. If you’ve offered an older relative or neighbour a lift somewhere, told them you’ll pop round tomorrow or promised you’ll call on Thursday then always stick to your plans. The older person may be relying on this upcoming interaction, so avoid cancelling at the last minute unless it’s essential.
Value the friendship and companionship of older people. Our drive to support older people should come from recognising that they are a vital part of our community and valuing their contribution. It should not be based on ageist assumptions or patronising notions built on stereotypes. You will gain as much from building social interactions with the older people in your life – or meeting new older people – as they will.
Dr Anderson concludes: “Loneliness is something that anyone can experience. By openly talking about it and reducing the stigma, we can begin to combat some of its causes and effects. Older people are more likely to experience loneliness, due to various circumstances, but we can all play a part in empowering and supporting older people to combat loneliness.”
For more tips and in-depth guidance, visit High Speed Training Hub, or our article: How to Combat Loneliness in Older People
| Why is it important for us to address loneliness?It is possible to be isolated without feeling lonely, just as it is equally possible to experience loneliness whilst seeming to have a wealth of social contacts. For this reason, we need to be able to spot signs of loneliness in ourselves and others.Loneliness can be hard to define – the experience of it, its causes and the effects it has are personalised. Not only does the experience differ between individuals, but each of us may experience loneliness differently at different stages of our lives.Dr. Richard Anderson, Learning Experience Director at High Speed Training said: “It is important for us to spark conversations around loneliness awareness, especially in older people, as research shows us that those experiencing loneliness are likely to have an increased risk of inactivity, smoking or risk-taking behaviours, coronary heart disease or stroke, depression, stress and low self-esteem, sleeping problems, and even cognitive decline and Alzheimers.“Older people can be more prone to social isolation leading to loneliness than younger people, for a variety of reasons.”The Campaign to End Loneliness highlights that half a million older people go at least five or six days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone at all, with 59% of those aged 85 and over, and 38% of those aged 75 to 84, living alone (1).Signs of social isolation in older peopleThere is still a perceived stigma to admitting that you are lonely, despite many campaigns over recent years to promote discussion about the issue. Older people in your life might not feel comfortable letting you know that they are experiencing loneliness, so it is important that you are alert to other signs of social isolation and loneliness.These might include:Neglecting their personal care, including their personal hygiene.Not eating properly.Changing their routine – for example, staying in bed later than they would usually.Expressing low self-esteem.Generally not seeming their usual self.Top 10 tips for combatting loneliness in older peopleMake time to chat. This could be pausing to say hello and pass the time of day with a neighbour, or visiting or phoning an older relative for a chat. Very simple interactions can help us to feel more connected and lessen social isolation.Embrace volunteering. This can work in a range of ways. Older people putting themselves forward as volunteers can be hugely beneficial. If you are someone seeking to support older people in your local community, then volunteering through organisations such as Age UK or Re-engage could be a rewarding option. Ask if you can help with errands. Offering practical help can be particularly useful. This could be doing some shopping, posting parcels, helping with the garden, clearing paths, taking bins out, etc. However, do be mindful how you offer help – especially if you are not well-acquainted with the person.Encourage digital inclusion. Offering to help older people that you know to build their digital skills could be a powerful way of helping them build connections. Share contact details. This is a simple thing to do but one that could prove to be an important lifeline for a socially isolated person in later life. Make sure that your older neighbours or relatives have access to all the emergency phone numbers they may need, including your own. If the person has any problems whilst home alone they can give you a call, assured that you’re nearby and are willing to help.Share details of community groups and activities. This could be an activity particularly geared at the older community, including intergenerational programmes, or something general for all ages, such as walking groups, faith groups, choirs, ‘knit and natter’ sessions or history society meetings. A regular activity to attend can provide an opportunity to meet new people, learn new things and establish more connections.Offer lifts. Depending on where they live, there may be good public transport links, with funding schemes for older people, but many people find themselves isolated due to lack of transport.Share something delicious. Asking someone over for lunch or dinner, or even for a cup of tea, not only provides some social interaction but also could ensure that person is benefiting from some home-cooked meals. Similarly, if you visit an older person, take a gift of a few portions of something easy to freeze – such as lasagne, casserole or even a roast dinner – that they can eat at a later date. Avoid cancelling plans. If you’ve offered an older relative or neighbour a lift somewhere, told them you’ll pop round tomorrow or promised you’ll call on Thursday then always stick to your plans. The older person may be relying on this upcoming interaction, so avoid cancelling at the last minute unless it’s essential.Value the friendship and companionship of older people. Our drive to support older people should come from recognising that they are a vital part of our community and valuing their contribution. It should not be based on ageist assumptions or patronising notions built on stereotypes. You will gain as much from building social interactions with the older people in your life – or meeting new older people – as they will.Dr Anderson concludes: “Loneliness is something that anyone can experience. By openly talking about it and reducing the stigma, we can begin to combat some of its causes and effects. Older people are more likely to experience loneliness, due to various circumstances, but we can all play a part in empowering and supporting older people to combat loneliness.” For more tips and in-depth guidance, visit High Speed Training Hub, or our article: How to Combat Loneliness in Older People |
