1. What do we know about social isolation and loneliness in Devon?
Simon Chant
Locum Consultant in Public Health
Wednesday 28th February 2018

2. 1. It is common

3. Loneliness and Wellbeing in Devon
For adults (18+) living in Devon an estimated:
64,000 are often lonely*
203,000 are sometimes lonely*
46,000 have a low happiness score~
22,000 have a low life satisfaction score~
25,000 have a low score for feeling worthwhile~
113,000 have a high anxiety score~
Projected to rise as population grows and ages
* Source: Mental Health Foundation and English Longitudinal Study of Ageing 2010
~ Source: Office for National Statistics National Wellbeing Survey,

4. 2. The impact of loneliness on health and wellbeing is considerable

5. The link between loneliness, mental health and physical health
Self-reported health status and quality of life is poorer for the lonely
Risk of ill-health and accidents higher
Studies have highlighted that increasing loneliness is associated with higher levels of health and social care service use
Likelihood of mental ill health is greater
Vicious cycle of loneliness, mental ill health and physical ill health

7. Health and care costs and loneliness
Additional annual costs arising from lack of social support for lonely older people
GP visits £150 per person
A&E visits £27 per person
Unplanned admissions £56 per person
Additional annual costs arising from increased ill health for lonely older people
Residential care £2,250 per person
Depression £1,975 per person
Dementia £4,800 per person
Physical inactivity £2,700 per person
Source: Social Finance, 2015, ‘Investing to tackle loneliness: a discussion paper’

8. 3. It can affect anyone but is more common in certain groups

9. Loneliness ‘Triggers’
Being single or divorced
Living
alone
Poor health
Immobility
Personal Circumstances
Health and
Disability
Cognitive
impairment
Sensory
impairment
Living on
a low
income
Living in
residential
care
Dual
sensory
impairment
Aged 75
and over
Personal Characteristics
Ethnic minority
Being gay or lesbian
Deprivation
Bereavement
Geography
Transitions
Source: Campaign to End Loneliness / English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
Starting or
giving up
caring
Retirement
Crime

10. Loneliness by age

11. National wellbeing by age

12. Social care users who have as much social contact as they would like

13. Social care users who have as much social contact as they would like
Lower rates evident for carers
Female (44.7%) rate lower than males (46.4%) nationally
Levels fall with age and are highest for social care clients aged 18 to 24 (58.5%), lowest at age 55 to 64 (40.8%) and increase slightly at age 85 and over (44.8%)
Minority groups less likely to have as much social contact as they would like

14. 4. The relationship between social and geographic isolation is complex

15. Risk of Loneliness Map (Age UK)

16. Social vs geographic isolation
Estimated levels of loneliness in population typically lower in rural and village locations
This is due to lower levels of deprivation, lower levels of care homes, and in-migration of people aged 80 and over into towns
Whilst less common, the dual impact of social and geographic isolation can be severe
Increasing social isolation in rural areas can prompt a move
Farming Communities Health Needs Assessment identified ‘hidden’ loneliness in rural areas

17. 5. We can do something about it

18. What works to combat loneliness
No single ‘magic bullet’ – a holistic approach focused on individual circumstances is best
Peer support groups, group activities, support for mental health, information sharing and signposting may all be involved
Some limitations in evidence base, new initiatives require robust evaluation frameworks
Social Care Institute for Excellence to publish updated review in early 2018

19. Local Example: Wellbeing Exeter

21. Majority typically start with a lower than average wellbeing score
Some Stats
Over 1438 referrals: average 16 a week from 10 practices with 70+ GPs referring electronically with open referral criteria.
Majority typically start with a lower than average wellbeing score 54
Carers or cared for supported
62% FEMALE
47%
UNDER
60 YRS
68%
No occupational role
Majority are single
-Range ages
-68% have no occupational role - could they become assets in their community
-Range of outcomes – health & Wellbeing, financial security, safe & sound, contributing citizen, housing & housing support.
age range
20%
have MULTIPLE NEEDS

22. How can challenges be overcome
Political and leadership support
Establishing an honest dialogue
Prioritising preventive approaches to loneliness and social isolation
Committed, flexible and supportive individuals
A pragmatic approach to new initiatives and the need for longer-term support
Source: Social Care Institution for Excellence,