Despite some recent falls, the increase in life expectancy in our own and many other societies means that a growing number of people will live into their eighties and beyond. As well as a decline in physical ability, many will experience increasing loneliness and isolation, particularly following the death of a spouse or long-term partner and other family members. We know that loneliness is a constant issue for many older people, and this has been, of course, made worse by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns and restrictions on going out and meeting people.
The Loneliness Project is research designed to find out how older people actually experience loneliness. The researchers, based at the University of Bath, collected qualitative data on older people living in retirement communities in the UK and Australia. They conducted in-depth interviews with 80 older people, generating over 180 hours of conversations.
Your organisation does not have access to this article.
Sign up today to give your students the edge they need to achieve their best grades with subject expertise
Subscribe
