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14 March 2013 09:22
Older people are in the grip of a "loneliness epidemic", according to research.
A "loneliness epidemic" is sweeping Britain - with the average person over 65 spending more than 100 days alone each year, a new survey says. This age group spends a total of more than 66 million hours alone every day, according to a report commissioned by the Associated Retirement Community Operators (Arco).
The study found almost a quarter of over-65s (24%) were lonely some or most of the time. Modern life means many people's families live overseas, but the latest research may remind grown-up children living abroad to invite their parents for a visit, reminding them to arrange seniors travel insurance first.
Nearly one in five (18%) of over-75s sometimes go a full weekend without seeing and speaking to another human being. Opinium Research's survey of 1,030 people aged over 65 found they spend an average of 6.4 waking hours alone each day.
Multiplied by the UK's 10.4 million over-65 population, this gives a figure of more than 66 million hours spent alone each day. Arco chairman Jon Gooding said: "We are in the grip of a loneliness epidemic."
15 August 2018
A simple blood test could help GPs detect a rare form of bone marrow cancer much earlier, a new study suggests.
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14 August 2018
Passengers arriving at Heathrow Airport last month faced queues of over two and a half hours at passport control, new figures have revealed.
11 August 2018
Hundreds of Ryanair flights will not take off as planned on Friday due to pilot strikes in five countries.
10 August 2018
Fad diets that cut out carbs while increasing fat consumption could lead to an increased risk of diabetes, according to new research.
09 August 2018
HIV testing has become even more accessible after a self-testing kit was made available from a High Street retailer.
08 August 2018
Women patients are more likely to survive a heart attack if they are treated by a female doctor, a new US study has revealed.
07 August 2018
The head of British Airways has branded two-hour queues facing travellers at Heathrow's passport control as a "border farce."
04 August 2018
Simple factors such as gender and body mass can help doctors to personalise care for patients with type 2 diabetes and avoid harmful side effects, according to a study.
03 August 2018
Gatwick Express must no longer claim it runs "non-stop to Victoria station in half an hour" and "in just 30 minutes" unless it can achieve the time in most cases, a watchdog has ruled.
02 August 2018
A charity is calling for greater access to respite support after it emerged that 72% of Britain's 700,000 young carers feel lonely and isolated during the summer holidays.
01 August 2018
A plan to build new rail links with Heathrow Airport and connect Windsor's two train stations have been submitted to the Government.
31 July 2018
The head of International Airlines Group (IAG), the company that owns British Airways, is 'optimistic' about a legal challenge to end crippling strikes.