Sense of community needs to be rebuilt to prevent an 'isolation epidemic' in older people

The increasing isolation of older and vulnerable people is becoming an epidemic which can only be fixed by rebuilding people’s sense of community, a neuroscientist has claimed.

Dr Linda Shaw is encouraging more schools to visit care homes to promote intergenerational interactions, and wants more people to take up volunteering roles.

Studies have estimated experiencing loneliness is twice as unhealthy as obesity for people over the age of 50. Befriending schemes have already been introduced throughout the UK by Age UK designed to beat loneliness in later life. The charity has estimated around one million older people regularly spend an entire month without speaking to anyone.

The National Thinking of You Week campaign has been launched this week, getting people to send a card to someone who would appreciate the communication to encourage people to reach out to others. Organised by the Greeting Card Association (GCA) it is hoped the campaign will increase social interactions and bring isolated people beck into regular contact with others.

Dr Shaw claimed the key structures of society such as trust, understanding, patience and open-mindedness must not be being lost completely as more people become oblivious to others in need within their communities.

She continued: “The elderly, the bereaved, the disabled and individuals suffering from either mental or physical illness feel isolated which has a profound effect on their health and well-being and on us as a society. Whilst it is commonly acknowledged that isolation is rife, intervention is not forthcoming and we need to start combatting the growing problem by mixing age groups, religions and so on.

“We are all going to need our community at some point so it is important to give whilst you can, be it something as simple as giving someone a lift somewhere, or knocking on someone’s door for a chat if they know you.”