Dame Judi Dench backs Age UK research revealing loneliness of 2m older people at Christmas
Age UK has released new research as part of its Christmas campaign, The hardest day of the year, highlighting how lonely and isolating everyday life is for millions of older people across the UK, especially during the festive period.
The statistics show that an overwhelming 2.3 million older people – nearly a fifth – wish they had someone to spend time with at Christmas, and 1.6 million older people find Christmas Day to be the hardest day of the year.
The campaign, which is supported by Age UK’s ambassadors Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Judi Dench and Dame Joanna Lumley, is raising awareness of how distressing loneliness can be for so many older people.
The charity is urging the public to donate to the campaign if they can and support Age UK’s friendship and advice services, which will be a lifeline to so many this Christmas.
Age UK’s new research found that 1.3 million older people will feel lonely this Christmas and, when asked what makes it a difficult time, more than 4.2 million older people said Christmas brings up memories of a loved one who has passed away.
With Christmas typically being a period of joy when families and friends come together, having company and human connection during this time can be really important, but unfortunately this is something a huge number of older people are missing out on.
Financial worries are also adding to feelings of loneliness and isolation around Christmas this year – the ever-increasing bills many older people are facing mean that large numbers are sacrificing social expenses.
Over one million people aged over 65 say the cost of living crisis is going to isolate them this Christmas more than ever before, and 1.3 million say it’s a hard time of year for them as it’s too expensive to celebrate.
Whether people celebrate Christmas itself or not, the festive period can magnify any feelings of how alone they are, as routine services tend to wind down and shops close or shut earlier.
Nearly three quarters of a million older people say Christmas is a hard time of year as it feels isolating with shops and services being closed, and nearly 1.4 million older people feel more isolated at Christmas than any other time of year.
Feeling isolated and cut off is something that many of us can relate to particularly after lockdowns during the pandemic, and large numbers empathise with these feelings when thinking about getting older.
Around 8.5 million people aged 18-35 said they’d feel forgotten if they were to spend Christmas alone as an older person, with nearly 5.7 million people aged 18-35 saying the idea makes them dread getting older.
Dame Joanna Lumley, Age UK ambassador, said: “Christmas is a time for celebrations and being together with the ones you love, but what if you don’t have anybody – what if they’re no longer here, or if they live far away?
“Sadly, it’s not all fun and laughter for everyone; it can be an extremely lonely time for many older people who will be spending the festive period completely alone.
“Knowing that Age UK is there to help, with its Advice Line and Silver Line Helpline open every single day of the year – including Christmas Day – is a reason for rejoicing, and it would be really wonderful if we all give what we can to support these important services. Your kindness really could make someone’s Christmas.”
Dame Judi Dench, Age UK ambassador, added: “To think that there are older people who will be completely alone this Christmas, with nobody to pull a cracker with or exchange presents with breaks my heart.
“There are so many older people who have nobody to speak to over the festive period and spend each day on their own, which is why I’m supporting Age UK’s Christmas campaign.
“I’m asking everyone who can to donate to Age UK so they can continue to provide their friendship services which will help older people who have nobody else feel less lonely this Christmas.”
