Older generation come together to combat loneliness

Loneliness is creating a “health timebomb” but co-housing communities, like old tenement life, could provide the solution.

Increasing numbers of people are lonely, a third of those aged 52 and over. Reasons include rising divorce rates and people living longer.

Research has shown isolation can make you more likely to develop heart disease, and can be as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. But now Scots are looking to Europe for help.

There are four groups across Scotland attempting to establish co-housing communities, which originated in Denmark in the 1960s. They are composed of private homes supplemented by shared facilities such as dining and laundry rooms, operated and managed by the residents.

Laura Ferguson, director from the Campaign to End Loneliness, said: “We’re definitely seeing an increased interest in co-housing. We’ve heard lots of examples from across the UK of people of various ages considering it.

“Co-housing’s a lot like life in the old Glasgow tenements, in the social aspect and togetherness.

“Take The Broons scenario, where there’s a big family around. If there then becomes a lack of family, a solution like co-housing is important.

“The number of people growing older is increasing and we’re facing a health timebomb.”

A recent Department of Health report found half of older people more than five million say TV is their main company. More than half of over-75s live alone, with about one in 10 suffering “intense” loneliness.

Hugh Hoffman is chairman of Vivarium, a co-housing charitable organisation in Fife.

They’ve struck a deal with Kingdom Housing Association to look at jointly building a co-housing community near St Andrews.

He said: “It’s for older people who are fit and healthy, with shared values and outlooks.

“The problem of being stuck in the house alone wouldn’t be an issue. Someone will always be around.

“We hope to have it up and running by 2015/16.”

There are currently around 40 members in Vivarium.

“It seems sensible to look into this for Scotland,” Hugh added.