Report: Isolation and loneliness among older men

A report examined the experiences of older men in England who were socially isolated or lonely. It said that older men were more isolated than older women, and that isolation put them at risk of loneliness, which was not a consequence of age but was driven by poor health and low income. The report considered policy responses.

In England, over 1.2 million men aged over 50 reported a moderate to high degree of social isolation. 710,000 men aged over 50 reported a high degree of loneliness.

The report shows that older men:

•     are more socially isolated than older women (1 in 3 compared with 1 in 5)
•     have less contact with their children, family and friends than older women.

The new research reveals that:

•     older men’s social networks tend to decline after the death of a partner
•     poor physical and mental health is much more likely for the most socially isolated and lonely men
•     older men are less likely to seek help or ask for support.