There has been a huge rise in the numbers of lonely old people living alone in Bristol and the surrounding area - putting them at greater risk of social isolation, depression, and ill health. When the census was taken in 2011, there were 45,096 people aged 65 and over living alone in our area.
This year’s census shows that number has swelled to 48,523 - a rise of 7.6%, meaning there are 3,427 more pensioners living on their own than there were 10 years ago. But the increase is likely to be even more pronounced because the 2011 census counted the number of people living alone from the age of 65, while the latest census counts people from the age of 66.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director of Age UK said: "The fact that there are significantly greater numbers of older people living alone and the likelihood this will grow in the years to come has big implications for our society as a whole and the NHS. Loneliness is certainly not inevitable in later life but it remains a widespread issue that blights the lives of far too many older people affecting health and well-being.
