Undervalued and lonely: older Australians struggling

Alex Mitchell |

Half of those older than 50 in NSW feel socially isolated, Council on the Ageing research shows.
Half of those older than 50 in NSW feel socially isolated, Council on the Ageing research shows.

Six-in-10 older people say they’re experiencing loneliness, with many feeling undervalued by society and struggling to reconnect.

Council on the Ageing (COTA) NSW research found half of those older than 50 in the state felt socially isolated, with the organisation urging targeted intervention to curb the “deeply concerning” trend.

Four-in-10 lonely older adults engaged in social activities once a month or less frequently, while one-in-10 of that cohort left their homes once a month or less.

An older person's hand on a glass
Four-in-10 lonely older adults engage in social activities once a month or less, research reveals. (Jane Dempster/AAP PHOTOS)

The study was released before a parliamentary inquiry into the prevalence, causes and impacts of loneliness in NSW begins on Friday.

Minority groups such as people living with disability, the LGBTQI community and carers had even higher rates of loneliness.

The council’s chief executive Gohar Yazdabadi said the findings presented a “devastating picture”.

“Loneliness has profound impacts on the lives of older adults,” she said.

“It prevents one in four adults from completing everyday tasks such as shopping and cooking, and one in five from seeking medical care.

“The feelings of being undervalued and without a support network are a terrible reflection of ageism and the way we value older people in our society, the impacts of which are keenly felt.”

An elderly man in Brisbane
“Loneliness has profound impacts on the lives of older adults,” Gohar Yazdabadi says. (Glenn Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

Six-in-10 respondents experiencing loneliness felt undervalued by society, which the council said exacerbated their loneliness, undermined their sense of identity and could make it harder for them to seek help and connect with people.

Researchers and psychologists will give evidence to the inquiry on Friday.

Suicide prevention and mental health advocates will also feature.

A similar survey in Melbourne found that one in five people said inclusivity, accessibility and affordability were their top priority for the city.

Ahead of a panel discussion on Wednesday at Federation Square aimed at solving loneliness, psychologist Chris Cheers said person-to-person contact, rather than chatting via technology, was key to quality relationships.

“While we are more digitally connected than ever, many Australians are feeling detached from their family, friends and society,” he said.

“For people struggling with loneliness, I hope this event creates a safe environment where they feel validated and confident to take action to strengthen their relationships.”

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