WAMES is continually being made aware of the isolation people with ME can feel.
Unfortunately years of limited contact with friends and family due to poor health can mean that loneliness becomes an even greater issue as people age and friends and family get in touch less often.
Finding the balance between giving people with ME space and support is very important for our mental health and quality of life.
Age Cymru Wales is campaigning against loneliness: No one should have no one – tackling loneliness and isolation in Wales
Loneliness and isolation are a daily reality for many older people – 75,000 older people in Wales have reported ‘always or often’ feeling lonely.
Age Cymru believes loneliness and isolation should be recognised and treated as a public health priority and we want local authorities to take the following steps:
- Create safe, accessible built environments with places to meet that are easily accessible by integrated local public and community transport;
- Involve older people in identifying and developing solutions to isolation;
- Work with housing, transport, health, care, voluntary sector organisations and GPs to deliver practical and emotional help to tackle loneliness;
- Provide services that prevent or manage loneliness and isolation at life stages which are likely to increase loneliness, such as bereavement, having to stop driving or moving to a new home or residential care;
- Agree specific local actions to reduce loneliness and monitor and evaluate their impact.
More stories:
BBC Wales: Wales ‘facing loneliness epidemic’ among elderly
South Wales evening post article, by E Perkins, 2 Mar 2017: Fears of loneliness epidemic will hit Wales unless action is taken
