Dame Judy Dench backs Age UK's campaign to prevent 'heart-breaking' loneliness at Christmas

While many of us look forward to spending time with family and friends during the festive season, recent research has revealed that Christmas celebrations often fall short for older people.

Age UK launched its campaign ‘No one should have no one at Christmas’ to raise awareness of loneliness and isolation which is experienced by over 60 per cent of people aged 65 and over.

Actress Dame Judi Dench has revealed the significance of supporting the campaign. She said: “I’ve come to know that the most important thing in life as you get older is the people around you. Like many others, I eagerly await the arrival of loved ones at Christmas and without them the festive celebrations just wouldn’t be the same. So it’s heart-breaking to think of those who will have no one at all to share these special occasions with.

“Age UK is trying to change this: help them to help an older person this festive season and support the ‘No one should have no one at Christmas’ campaign.”

A recent survey conducted by Age UK found that more than one million people aged 65 and over have not had any communication with a friend, neighbour or family member for over a month.

Last year the charity also identified that nearly 400,000 people aged 65 and over in the UK were worried about being lonely over the Christmas season.

Similarly, 61 per cent of the same age group said that Christmas would not be the same without spending time with their children or grandchildren. However, just 23 per cent of those polled aged 18–34 said they planned to spend Christmas with their grandparents and just under half of those aged 25–54 said they planned to spend it with their parents.

Previous research has suggested that loneliness can be as harmful to health as smoking and obesity, causing depression and feelings of low self-worth.

As the festive season builds, the main worries identified by older people were missing loved ones who have passed away (42 per cent), followed by the fear of not being able to see everyone they want to over Christmas (29 per cent). In addition, nearly a third of people (27 per cent) simply consider loneliness as ‘part of life’ - but when thinking about people facing a lonely Christmas, only 16 per cent were found to be worried about friends and family who will be spending Christmas on their own.

Commenting on these findings, Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, added: “The festive season is usually a time for celebration with those you love, but for too many older people it can reinforce feelings of loss, loneliness and of life passing them by.

“Contrary to what many people think, loneliness is not a normal part of ageing, and it not only makes life miserable, it can have a serious impact on physical and mental health too."

Ms Abrahams added: “Today, many families are widely dispersed so it is certainly true that visiting older relatives can be challenging. Yet as our research shows, making the effort to keep in touch often makes an enormous difference to older people who tend to be stoical and therefore reluctant to admit how lonely they are.

“We all have a role to play as individuals, families and communities in ensuring older people feel valued and included and that’s why we’re asking everyone to join us in taking action. By donating and signing our petition you can help older people to enjoy the festive season and the year to come; everyone should have someone at Christmas.”

Age UK has created a ‘live’ snow-globe version of its’ ‘No one should have no one at Christmas’ campaign in London’s South Bank. Celebrities including, Sylvia Syms, Diana Moran, Lionel Blair and Brian Murphy as well as members of the public have been invited to sit within the globe to find out more about loneliness and why it is such a serious problem.

The Charity is also urging individuals to check in on older neighbours, relatives and friends over the festive season, as well as sign the petition which calls on the Government to recognise loneliness as a serious health problem and commit to action to help reduce it.

To help Age UK support lonely older people and to find out more information go to: www.ageuk.org.uk/christmas.