Charity, politicians and showbiz figures unite to back our campaign to eradicate loneliness suffered by elderly people in Scotland

More than 130,000 older Scots will find this Christmas the hardest day of the year because of loneliness and isolation.

A shocking new survey commissioned by Age Scotland on behalf of the Sunday Post has found almost 100,000 over-65s will be eating Christmas dinner alone this year.

At least 107,386 will feel the effects of loneliness, something medical experts warn can increase the risk of developing dementia by up to 50%.

Doctors believe loneliness and isolation has a direct effect on physical as well as mental health, rocketing the risk of stroke or heart attacks by almost a third. The double whammy of isolation caused by the cost-of-living crisis will affect almost 65,000 more Scots.

Loneliness this Christmas

The Sunday Post has partnered with Age Scotland, Bafta-winning actor Gary Hollywood and leading politicians in a bid to eradicate loneliness across Scotland and save lives.

Age Scotland CEO Katherine Crawford said: “This Christmas Day there will be at least one older person on every street in Scotland who will eat alone, feeling that it is the hardest day of the year. And our survey shows more than 170,000 pensioners in Scotland will wish that they had someone in their lives to spend time with. It’s heartbreaking.”

• Almost 130,000 of over-65s find Christmas is the hardest day of the year – and with a million over-65s, that is 12%.
• Around 97,000, or 9%, of elderly people feel more isolated than at any other time of year.
• At least one in 10, that is 107,386, will feel lonely.
• 170,734, that is 15% of those surveyed, wish they had someone to spend time with this Christmas.
• Almost 100,000 will be eating Christmas dinner alone this year.
• The cost-of-living crisis means 64,432, that is 6%, will be more isolated this Christmas.
• This year 859,088 lucky over- 65s will enjoy Christmas with family and friends.

Mrs Brown’s Boys star Gary Hollywood is ­calling for everyone to reach out to a neighbour or friend who will be on their own this Christmas. He said: “Times are hard and people are lonely and suffering. We can all do something about it by just knocking on a door and spending a few minutes with someone you know is on their own.

“Scotland is known for being one of the ­friendliest places in the world. We simply can’t have that happening here, and every one of us can do something about it.”

Medical experts say loneliness has now been officially recognised as a killer, with the World Health Organisation urging countries to tackle it now. WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “High rates of social isolation and loneliness around the world have serious consequences for health and wellbeing. People without enough strong social connections are at higher risk of stroke, anxiety, dementia, ­depression, suicide and more.”

Loneliness impact on health

Health experts warn loneliness is as bad for your health as smoking, describing the silent killer as a hidden public health crisis.

Politicians are backing our campaign. Scottish Conservative shadow social justice minister Miles Briggs said: “The Post’s shocking figures show an unacceptable level of loneliness and isolation that we must all do more to combat.

“The government must put eradicating ­loneliness at the top of their agenda and give it the funding and attention it deserves. Hundreds of thousands of lives can be made better if we tackle loneliness and isolation in our communities.”

And Katy Clark, Scottish Labour’s shadow spokesperson for community safety, said: “We know loneliness kills and isolation is not treated with the seriousness it deserves. We also know strongly networked communities with support and grassroots initiatives in place can have a hugely positive impact and that much more needs to be done. It cannot be right that an overburdened charity sector is expected to keep up with the immense demand for services.

“Not only should the Scottish Government step in and ensure fair funding for this sector – it needs to recognise its own role in alleviating loneliness through proactive policies and investing in social infrastructure, whether it be supporting transport authorities to rebuild our collapsing bus networks or reversing cuts to local government and ­protecting lifeline services.

“At the moment, this is not happening, and scrapping the post of Minister for Older People suggests we are actually going in the wrong direction. The Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund is welcome, but it is meaningless if services that older people rely on are being slashed elsewhere.

“That is why I fully back the Sunday Post’s campaign to eradicate loneliness among older people in Scotland. Eradicating social isolation must be at the forefront of the Scottish Government’s agenda going forward and I intend to join that fight.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton added: “As well as championing the contribution of older people in society, the government need to protect existing community groups, such as lunch clubs and Men’s Sheds, which have been critical in efforts to tackle isolation. They must do much more to protect these lifelines.”

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Our campaign

The Sunday Post is partnering with Age Scotland to cut loneliness and isolation in half by the end of the decade after experts warn hundreds of thousands are at a 50% higher risk of dementia as a result.

Age Scotland want to encourage every one of us to reach out to a neighbour or relative on their own, to spend time on a simple chat which can be a lifeline to the 200,000 older Scots who can go a whole week or more without speaking to anyone.

They will call on the government to keep their promise to invest at least £10million on eradicating loneliness.

And they are calling for investment on improving transport links and the accessibility of community-based hubs such as libraries and social centres where older people can gather, keeping them open and safe from budget cuts as of they play a vital role in encouraging better health and wellbeing.

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I’ve had an interesting life and I’m still going strong. The only sadness is that I’m on my own.

© Alan Richardson

We teamed up with Age Scotland and Mrs Brown’s Boys Actor Gary Hollywood to ask our readers to deliver the most special Christmas gift of all, a pledge to eradicate loneliness in Scotland.

The Bafta-winning star is calling on all of us to make a start by making this festive season better for the hundreds of thousands of older Scots who have no one to share Christmas cheer with.

Gary made David MacKenzie’s day when he turned up at the 84-year old’s home in Aberuthven in Perthshire for a chat and a cuppa.

Gary said: “When I heard that almost 130,000 Scots will be lonely this Christmas, I knew I had to do something to help change that, starting with David.

“It was a privilege to meet a man who has had an incredible life working all over the world. It’s beyond sad that David is now on his own with no family or close friends to share his life with.

“Christmas will be the loneliest time for him and many others.

“David is a strong, resilient ­character with a great sense of humour and zest for life even at 84.

“I can’t help feeling sad that so many pensioners like David are alone at this time of year while the rest of us are celebrating. We could all make a difference by taking just a few minutes to reach out to those on their own.”

The stark reality for many ­pensioners across Scotland is that around 200,000 can go more than a week without ever speaking to another person. This Christmas almost 100,000 over-65s will be eating dinner on their own.

Gary, 43, said: “We all live such busy lives, we often don’t have time to think that the pensioner at the end of the street might go a whole week or more without ever speaking to another person.

“Or that for more than one in 10 older people, Christmas Day will be the loneliest day of the year.

“All it takes is a few moments to check if a neighbour will be on their own, and if they are, try and find a few moments to share a cuppa and check they are fine.

“It’s the priceless gift that costs you nothing but means the world to those like David who are all alone.”

Gary lost his father, John, 77, ­suddenly in January after he collapsed at his family home in Glasgow. Despite frantic efforts by paramedics and his family, John could not be revived, leaving Betty, his wife of almost 58 years, utterly bereft.

Gary said: “Losing my dad so ­suddenly really brought home to me just how easily the whole world can change in a moment. Losing dad has, of course, been hardest on mum. This will be her first Christmas without him, so I know only too well how this time of year can bring the sadness of missing a loved one as well as the joy of spending time with family and friends.

“Spending time together rather than spending money on lavish gifts means far more and creates lasting memories.

“Forget making this Christmas all about presents. It’s your presence that’s priceless and means the most.”

The effects of the cost-of-living crisis mean an additional 65,000 older Scots will be even more isolated this Christmas because they are terrified to put their heating on or worry about making ends meet.

But Gary points out, the simple hand of friendship need not cost a penny and the benefits to all are plain to see.

He said: “Times are hard. But it costs so very little to hand deliver a festive card to a neighbour on their own, or knock on their door, share a cuppa and just have a conversation. It makes everyone feel better.”

Former jeweller David spent his life working around the world.

From Edinburgh originally, he has been to America, France, the Dominican Republic and Spain.

David said: “I’ve had an ­interesting life and I’m still going strong.

“The only sadness in my life is that, although I married several times, I never had any children. I’m on my own now and life is very lonely.

“I’d love someone to share trips and meals with. I still have so much to give.”

David’s surprise visit from Gary had him smiling and laughing as they exchanged jokes and stories.

He said: “Gary’s visit made me feel very special because he made the time to just sit and chat.

“He even brought me a lovely poinsettia which has cheered my place up and made it feel a little more like Christmas.”

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The charity view

© MIKE WILKINSON

By Katherine Crawford, CEO Age Scotland

The festive period is one that many look forward to.

It’s a chance to spend time with loved ones, perhaps have a well-earned break from work, or as good an excuse as you’ll get in the year to indulge.

But that is not the case for everyone – it’s going to be a very tough time for huge numbers of people.

We know that this is always a really difficult time of year for many older people in Scotland, especially those living alone or without friends and family close by.

This Christmas Day there will be at least one older person on every street in Scotland who will eat alone, feeling that it is the hardest day of the year.

And more than 170,000 pensioners in Scotland wish that they had someone in their lives to spend time with.

It’s heartbreaking.

Older people are as lonely and isolated as they were following the second national Covid-19 lockdown, and almost six in 10 older people in Scotland are regularly affected by loneliness.

It devastates lives and has an incredible impact on a person’s health, such as increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke and dementia, as well as providing significant mental health challenges.

Simply put, loneliness kills. And it is a growing public health crisis as much as it is a social one.

It’s getting harder for many older people to connect with others as local activities and services close their doors or move solely online.

As the financial crisis continues to bite, cutting back on socialising and travel becomes more of the norm.

Recovering from this is going to take some doing. Bolder action from governments and society to tackle this crisis is absolutely vital.

But we can each play an important part in supporting older friends, relatives and neighbours.

It doesn’t have to cost much. Simple acts and gestures of kindness such as sending a card, popping by for a chat or a cup of tea or picking up the phone to catch up with an older person in your life can make a huge difference to those who find this time of year so difficult.

An invitation to lunch could really change their life.

Whether it’s delivering cards and gifts or organising festive meals or outings, we’re always heartened by the efforts that many people go to to spread some cheer and make sure no one feels forgotten. It is certainly appreciated by us and the people that receive such kindness.

Many of us may be meeting up with older people in our lives we may not have seen for a while.

If you notice that someone is struggling but aren’t sure how to help, point them towards Age Scotland on 0800 12 44 222 – our team will be on hand over the festive period to offer information, advice and friendship to those who need it.

Together we can make Christmas a little brighter for older people across Scotland.