Better treatment of frailty and incontinence will help combat loneliness, say health experts

Health experts have called for earlier identification and treatment of health conditions that increase loneliness.

The British Geriatrics Society and the Royal College of Psychiatrists have published a report calling on the government and NHS commissioners to improve their identification and treatment for health conditions such as dementia, frailty, incontinence and chronic pain, which can limit older people's independence and exacerbate their loneliness.

Poor health and mobility can stop older people going out and doing the things they used to do. This reduces their social interactions with people and can lead to them getting lonely.

Loneliness is now a significant public health risk and it has been shown to increase the likelihood of frailty, care home admission and mortality. Recent research found its impact on mortality is the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Professor Tahir Masud, president of the British Geriatrics Society, said: “There is much that all of society – from government right through to community groups and individuals – can do to better support older people.

“While we may remain proud that people are living longer lives, this alone is not sufficient. We must also ensure that they have a good quality of life and that they are enabled to live fulfilling and happy lives into their later years.”

Dr Amanda Thompsell, chair of the Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, added: “Loneliness is fast becoming a public health pandemic. The government must increase the number of specialists in health and care working with older people so health issues that can limit independence and contribute to loneliness are identified early and addressed quickly.

“The report defines loneliness as 'an emotional state’ and describes the subjective sense of ‘lacking affection, closeness and social interaction with others’. The combination of mental illness and loneliness forms a vicious circle.”

The British Geriatrics Society and the Royal College of Psychiatrists want to see more done to improve the process of identifying older people suffering from loneliness.

They also want to see provision of adequate treatment for health issues that limit independence such as chronic pain, visual impairment, incontinence, foot health, malnutrition and oral health.

In addition, they want earlier identification of depression, cognitive impairment and dementia and provision of relevant treatment including talking therapies, psychosocial interventions and where appropriate, medication.

Download the report here