No one should have no one to turn to

MORE THAN 2.5 MILLION OLDER PEOPLE FEEL THEY HAVE NO ONE TO TURN TO FOR HELP AND SUPPORT.

Age UK launches this year’s campaign to support older people facing the challenges of later life alone

As Age UK launches its No one should have no one to turn to campaign, new YouGov research for the Charity has found that 2.65 million older people feel they have no one to turn to for help and support.

The campaign kicked off on 7 November with a powerful new film highlighting some of the challenges that people often have to deal with in later life but which are so much harder to bear if you are facing them alone. These include coping with bereavement, tackling loneliness, getting the social care you need and managing health problems like dementia.

The survey found that almost one in three older people in Yorkshire and Humberside who felt they had no one to turn to said this left them feeling isolated (31 per cent), whilst over a quarter felt lonely (26 per cent) and one in five felt depressed (21 per cent).

That’s why Age UK Bradford District is urging people to support its campaign and donate to help ensure that the Charity’s essential services, such as the free Information and Advice Service can continue to be there for older people facing the challenges of later life alone.

Age UK Bradford District offers a free and confidential information and advice service for older people, their families and carers. Their Information and Advice service holds the Advice Quality Standard (AQS) which is the quality mark for organisations that provide advice to the public on social welfare issues. Organisations that hold the standard have demonstrated that they are easily accessible, effectively managed, and employ staff with the skills and knowledge to meet the needs of their clients.

The charity can help with Information and Advice relating to:

• Benefits
• Housing
• Health and social care
• Leisure and social activities
• Family and personal matters
• Your rights to local services
• And most other things that affect your quality of life

The Charity’s new film tells an honest story about how its national Advice Line can help older people who are struggling and features one of Age UK’s trained advisers, there to provide a calm, reassuring voice and expert support.

Almost all (93 per cent) people aged 65 and older from Yorkshire and Humberside who took part in the survey said that being free of financial hardship is important in later life, which is reflected in the high number of enquiries the national Advice Line received about money and benefits last year.

Supporting Age UK’s latest campaign, Actress Dame Judi Dench, said: “We all know that ageing is inevitable, but it’s heart-breaking to think of older people who feel they have no one they can turn to.

“Age UK is working hard to change this, and by supporting their ‘No one should have no one to turn to’ campaign you can help them to be there for older people who might have no one else.”

Green Goddess Diana Moran, TV personality, journalist and ambassador for Age UK, said: “I visited Age UK’s national Advice line recently and it really is such a lifeline for older people and their families. Many of the calls I heard were from people who just didn’t know where else to go. Luckily, Age UK is there to offer specialist advice on everything from paying for care to claiming benefits and are only a phone call away - every single day of the year.

“Age UK’s work is vital, so I’m encouraging everyone to support this campaign so that older people and their families have someone to turn to when they need it most.”

Chief Executive at Age UK Bradford District, Mark Rounding, said: “We have a rapidly ageing population and it is heart-breaking to think that more than two and a half million older people feel they have no one to go to for help. The fact is that getting older can be really tough and however resilient you are it’s important to know someone will always be there for you, come what may. That’s what we aim to be for older people at Age UK Bradford District and we know it makes a huge difference, especially for those with literally no one else they feel they can ask for help.”

Age UK Bradford District is encouraging people to get behind its campaign and to donate to help ensure that the Charity’s essential services and support can continue to be there for older people and their families. To find out how you can support Age UK Bradford District by donating go to: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bradfordanddistrict/get-involved/donate/ or call 01274 391190.

Anyone who needs support or is worried about an older relative or friend can get in touch by calling 01274 391190 or visiting https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bradfordanddistrict/