Over 75% of older people who experience bereavement are not 'signposted' to any support

Over three quarters (78 per cent) of people aged 65 and over who have experienced bereavement were not told about the emotional support available, leaving them to "struggle alone" through an "extremely difficult time", new research has found.

Independent Age which supports older people, their families and carers revealed just four per cent of people aged 65 and over who have experienced a bereavement in the past five years sought extra counselling support outside friends and family, compared with nine per cent of adults aged under 65.

Even when people were told about the support on offer following a bereavement, the charity found of the eight per cent of British adults, just over one in ten (12 per cent) were not able to access support at all.

Deborah Alsina, chief executive of Independent Age, said: “Grief is a painful and challenging aspect of life, but often older people’s experiences of bereavement are diminished or considered not as important.

“Not everyone will require additional support following the death of a loved one, but some will, and this is no less true for people aged over 65.

“The lack of proactive signposting to support services for older people we’ve uncovered is incredibly concerning, especially as we know older people are less likely to seek out this support for themselves,” says Ms Alsina. “It is vital people are made aware of the support that is available to them, so they are not left to struggle alone through an extremely difficult time.

“But it’s also essential that once people are made aware, the right support is in place. Currently, there is a postcode lottery of bereavement services available in England. This cannot continue. There needs to be significant investment and planning to ensure consistent good quality support options exist for those that need it.”

Up to 318,000 people aged 65 and over have been bereaved of a partner during the Covid-19 pandemic

The charity says that 10 per cent of bereaved people go on to develop prolonged grief disorder, a sustained period of acute grief which occurs when the ‘normal’ grieving process is interrupted and older people are just as likely as other age groups to experience this.

However, Independent Age thinks this percentage could be higher because of the pandemic and restrictions placed on daily life creating barriers such as people not having the opportunity to say goodbye or attend a funeral.

The charity’s analysis has revealed up to 318,000 people aged 65 and over have been bereaved of a partner during the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a 14 per cent increase on the average for the past five years.

Independent Age is calling for a government-led strategy for the whole system of bereavement support that clarifies responsibilities and sets out a plan for how more investment will be secured. More proactive signposting to support options for those in later life. Clear named individuals with responsibilities for bereavement within both NHS England and the new integrated health and care bodies.

Cruse Bereavement Support is just one charity that offers bereavement support through its website, national helpline, live chat, group, zoom, telephone or one-to-one in person support. The charity says the different government departments need to “produce a national bereavement strategy” to ensure everyone grieving is “supported, respected and understood.”

Steven Wibberley, chief executive of Cruse Bereavement Support, said: “Cruse supports thousands of grieving people every year, and we know first-hand just how important it is that anyone, at any age, is able to access high quality bereavement support. For this to happen the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England need to collaborate with charities, to ensure there is a long-term plan for funding the bereavement sector.

“Charities like Cruse and Independent Age will continue to support grieving people with the determination and care we’ve always had, but this additional funding is crucial to ensuring all bereaved people receive the support they so desperately need.”

To read our bereavement article which has advice and links to further support click here.