Over 65s spend eight hours a day alone but still prefer living at home

People aged 65+ are spending on average eight hours alone a day, however a poll reveals the majority still prefer living in their own home.

An online poll of more than 2,000 people aged over-65, commissioned by home care provider, Home Instead Senior Care has also revealed nearly half (49 per cent) of people aged 85+ spend at least 10 hours every day completely alone.

While living at home alone makes older people feel upset, depressed, anxious and even keeps them awake at night, 98 per cent of over-65s still prefer to live independently in their own home, even if that means spending most of their day alone.

Some 70 per cent of people aged 65+ said they would prefer to stay in their home with a visiting home care worker, rather than move in with their family or into a care home.

Leaving home is just as traumatic as a bereavement say over-65s

Almost a quarter (21 per cent) of people claim leaving their home behind would be just as traumatic as enduring the death of a loved one. And 11 per cent of poll respondents even feared their family would stop visiting them if they left their home and moved into a care home or in with other family.

Martin Jones, chief executive of Home Instead Senior Care, which has 200 offices caring for over 14,000 clients, said: “They say an Englishman’s home is his castle, and our research has proved that to be true. No one should have to feel alone or forced to move out of their home."

Most British people prefer to stay in their own home, citing the importance of feeling safe there (64 per cent) and finding comfort in familiar surroundings (60 per cent).

The survey also found more than half (53 per cent) of poll respondents with a partner with an age-related condition say it makes them feel more isolated.

According to the poll, conducted by home care provider Home Instead on 21-25 September, 99 per cent of people visited by a home care worker felt a home care visit had a ‘positive impact on their life’. Some 46 per cent said a visit from their home care worker was like seeing ‘a friend every day’.

When poll respondents with a home care worker were asked what benefits care visits brought to their life, they said it helped them live in their own home for longer (66 per cent) and allowed them to maintain their independence (57 per cent).

Mr Jones added: “Companionship is a powerful resource for a person’s wellbeing – it speaks for itself when almost half of those asked feel that their visiting carer means they are seeing a friend every day.

"As we age, and may lose the ability to do certain things that we once could, it’s important to offer positive reinforcements and support to allow a person to live as independently as they can.

“Many of the people we support simply want company and conversation. We believe that in-home care can offer a fresh start, offering new opportunities and friendships. Most importantly it empowers our clients to live their way, in their own home.”

Some 93 per cent of older people also felt “not being a burden” to family and friends is important to them. However, more than half (65 per cent) of people use technology to stay connected with family or friends and a quarter do this every day.