Almost half of elderly live alone

22/12/2011

Almost half of pensioners live by themselves, according to a shock survey that has raised fresh concerns about older people being left alone at Christmas.

 

A poll by The Centre for the Modern Family found that many over-60s who do not live with anyone else have no relatives living close by, while some have no family at all.

 

The survey also found that half of the over-75s saw family members less than once a month, with only a quarter having weekly visits.

 

Richard Jones, Marketing Director of Scottish Widows, which backs the think tank, said the findings were particularly worrying at this time of year.

 

He said: "The ageing society is one of the biggest challenges we as a society face.

 

"If we don’t find ways to help people look after themselves in retirement, there is a danger that we will see increasing numbers of people alone, isolated and unable to cope."

 

The telephone survey of 3,000 people found that 43 per cent of the over-60s said they lived alone. Of this group, 48 per cent said they had no family living locally while 25 per cent said they had no relatives at all.

 

Just 4.7 per cent of the over-65s questioned said they lived with their sons or daughters, with Asian families more likely to live with their families.