QUICK DISCLAIMER: All views & OPINIONS expressed in Matt's Column are his own and the topics are that of his own choice. These are not articles.
Older pensioners over the age of 75 are lonely and isolated... particularly in London says a think-tank. Sources think that resources should be used more for the vulnerable over 75’s rather than that of the younger pensioners in society.
The institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and the City of London Corporation's City Bridge Trust published a report that quoted recent research suggesting nearly a fifth (18%) of over-75s "felt lonely much of the time during the past week", compared to 11.8% of 65 to 74-year-olds.
While a quarter (25.6%) of 65 to 74-year-olds live alone, nearly half (44.5%) of over-75s do so.
Director of IPPR Nick Pearce said: "Older Londoners are more likely to live alone, suffer from poverty and lack support from their families compared to older people in other areas of the country. The city also faces high rates of population churn, a complex infrastructure and a reliance on migrant workers - which adds to the challenge of designing effective public services. For too many people, growing older is a journey of loss - losing work, mobility and friendships."
These statistics are certainly what I’m sure we all don’t want to hear. Albeit the above figures are from that of London Pensioners, without a doubt the same can be said I’m sure for the elderly locally and of course around Manchester. The fact of the matter is, the current government are completely out of touch with just what is going on in the real world. David Cameron’s elderly relatives I’m sure are safe and have access to central heating and won’t be afraid to actually turn it on. The reality is, the same came cannot be said for the elderly across the rest of the UK. Pensioners are financially unable to have their heating on and in quite a lot of cases are therefore left shivering in their own house and left clutching a blanket and to me, that just does simply not seem right in today’s times! It is quite distressing to think that there some elderly people out there who have no family or friends and are just forgotten from the rest of society.
If WE have any elderly relatives we need to ensure that they are safe, warm and in good spirits especially as this bitterly cold winter is upon us. If they are lonely, spend time with them. If they are cold, make sure you go round to there home and find someway of just making sure they are comfortable, supported and well looked after. People these days use the excuse that they are too busy too often and it just no longer is a valid reason. You need to make time for those around you as before you know it, they shall no longer be with you and to think that you could have helped them in someway after it is too late is something which you should not feel.
I was listening to Vanessa Feltz’s radio show this week and this was the topic of discussion and an 81 year old woman called Sonia phoned the show and it was a rather emotional conversation as she quoted that she wasn’t just isolated she was “terrified” and “waiting to die” she wanted a bath more than anything, she lived in a flat which wasn’t big enough for one and her son had abandoned her which had left her stuck in her home and scared of the world. She had no family and no friends, despite through her own self admission at one time in her life she used to be “Extremely popular and had many friends” it was so heartbreaking to hear a vulnerable woman like that and I can only hope that her choosing to phone BBC Radio London shall get her some much needed help. Her son to abandon her in the way he did is just beyond vile and the emotion in her voice was just something which pulled on your heartstrings. We must all look after the elderly for the rest of the year especially as Christmas approaches and such... warm meals, hot drinks and sheer company is something which we all take for granted which would be welcomed more than anything in their lives I’m sure. Even if it is the likes of a neighbour... not even a family friend it is just general human respect and looking out for one another.
To think, these people have many joyous memories and past experiences of a busy life in which they have embedded into society over the years, just wanting to share them all with somebody and to live through the moments again... it really does make you think and I’m sure many readers share my view and passion on this issue.
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