COMPANIONSHIP is key to a healthy life but more needs to be done to reduce loneliness among the elderly in Redditch and Bromsgrove, according to research carried out by a home care provider.
Home Instead Senior Care surveyed more than 2,000 over 65s with nine out of ten stating that regular companionship would help them to stay mentally and physically healthy for longer.
Despite this, it was revealed that many older people in Redditch and Bromsgrove felt lonely with over a quarter of over 65s saying they spent eight hours alone daily, with almost half (49 per cent) of over 85s facing at least ten hours a day alone.
The survey also revealed that 85 per cent of older people want to live at home and feel safe there.
Annie Dixon-Dunn, owner of Home Instead Senior Care said: “It comes as no surprise that most people want to live at home for as long as possible.
“For most of us, our home is our sanctuary. When we get older, we’ve raised our families and earned our rest, we should get to enjoy the comfort of our own space.”
Despite this, it was revealed that many older people in Redditch and Bromsgrove felt lonely with over a quarter of over 65s saying they spent eight hours alone daily, with almost half (49 per cent) of over 85s facing at least ten hours a day alone.
The survey also revealed that 85 per cent of older people want to live at home and feel safe there.
Annie Dixon-Dunn, owner of Home Instead Senior Care said: “It comes as no surprise that most people want to live at home for as long as possible.
“For most of us, our home is our sanctuary. When we get older, we’ve raised our families and earned our rest, we should get to enjoy the comfort of our own space.”
