Being lonely in old age to be avoided

Published on Saturday 11 February 2012 00:00

BEING lonely in old age will propel you to the grave more quickly than smoking, a senior Downing Street adviser said as part of an effort to encourage people to retire later.

David Halpern, the director of Number 10’s Behavioural Insight Team, said not having someone with whom to share problems was one of the most significant lifestyle factors affecting mortality.

Dubbed the “nudge unit”, Mr Halpern’s team was set up to develop ways to push people gently into changing behaviour rather than more draconian government interventions.

Mr Halpern was picked by Prime Minister David Cameron as one of six experts joining him at a summit of Nordic and Baltic states, where one topic was how to ensure more workers delayed their retirement.

He told other leaders and experts that a majority of the UK’s over-75s considered themselves lonely “all or most of the time”.

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duelaynomore

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 03:39 PM

I think that's why old people gravitate to the church..there's someone to talk to, and its not raining in there. It doesn't cost much either..which is a big draw... get one used to the sound of your maker's voice maybe? Of course online converstaions with yourself also help waste some time!

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9

well informed

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 12:02 PM

The Corporate controlled Govt wants us to spend our entire life slaving under corporate management while they themselves retire early as millionaires with huge pensions and board positions! Corporate capitalism forced consuption and right wing ideology the banes of the world!

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8

Griffe

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:38 AM

Is Halpern retired? Surely only pensioners know anything about retirement. This is like some without children telling others how to rear their children.

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7

Pilrig.

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:04 AM

The Big Society = work till ye drop.

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Charles11

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 10:36 AM

Many elderly smokers no longer go to a pub to socialise because they cannot smoke inside the pub. They are left alone at home, but remember 'you're never alone with a Strand'.

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Niddrie Nick

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 10:24 AM

Of course older people feel lonely a lot of the time. Many of the people they knew have moved away, gone into care or died. And with the focus of society always on the young ... our elders are shunted to one side, referred to as "the growing number of elderly" and viewed in the main as a drain on the State! Heaven forbid growing old in this country (still the UK so far). The well-scrubbed Cameron does not instill any faith in me that that is going to change any time soon. And a retirement age of 75? Is THAT what's being touted??? Gimme a break!!!

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4

Hector the Lessor

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 06:11 AM

So if the government allows you to form a smokers club at your local pub that should be the way forward. Mind you it will never catch on as far as the legislation is concerned. I am glad I am old, goodness knows what the powers that be have lined up for you youngsters when you retire.

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Charles Linskaill

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 01:11 AM

~1. Cynicus, Thankyou!

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Charles Linskaill

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 01:09 AM

This is Brilliant News!,,,I can still enjoy cigarettes since I have my new sweetheart in my life, Humans are not meant to live alone, And even if relationships are not perfect, It's better to be in an relationship, rather than being solitude, and thinking only of the past, Even making Conversation to someone who you don't know helps stress, and stops you being a grumpy old human-being, But Long Live the so called Love Life!

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Cynicus

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 12:56 AM

The secret of Old Charlie's longevity: the value he attaches to companionship-:)

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