Pension Poverty, Social Isolation, Mental Health, Digital Divide – Discussions with Aviva Investors continue…
On Wednesday, ELBA hosted the third forum in a series of discussions with Aviva Investors surrounding our older generation. The subject focus was social isolation and the impact on mental health.
Our community partners around east London have provided much needed insight in all discussions – national overviews as well as local perspectives – around the issues that older people face, from pension poverty (Independent Age commissioned new research on the impact of health and social care services when those eligible for Pension Credit do not receive their entitlement, read this here), to social isolation – all of which have an adverse impact on mental health. Reengage identified ageism, technology, invisibility, vulnerability and living alone as being underlying factors for loneliness – many of these are interlinked and lead to deteriorated health:
- Social isolation has been associated with about a 50% percent increased risk of dementia.
- Having poor social relationships is associated with a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke.
- Loneliness is associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide.
- Loneliness among heart failure patients was associated with a nearly 4 times increased risk of death, 68% increased risk of hospitalisation, and 57% increased risk of visits to A&E
The pandemic has also exacerbated the digital divide which has created a barrier for the older population to connect with others: social connection, accessibility and referral to services is harder, many lack the motivation or do not have the know-how and lack the means: no devices or connectivity. Community partners highlighted the difficultly involved in introducing the ‘digital’ world to someone who has never used it before; time consuming – teaching someone requires time, consistency and inevitably funding to keep going. With the pandemic, this has been more challenging as many older people are shielding and there has been minimal or no face to face contact at all.
In 2017, 78% of those who have never been online were aged over 55
Older women and people living in deprived areas are least likely to go online.
– Statistics provided by Reengage.
The insight shared and gained has been key for Aviva Investors to build on their knowledge and understanding on the key issues faced by older population and will play a part to inform the development of their financial products, services and most importantly their social purpose work with Aviva Foundation UK going forwards. The final discussion will take place next month with a focus on climate change and how it affects the older population – an exciting topic ELBA has not yet explored!
Thank you to all the community partners who have been involved so far: Age UK/ Age UK East London, Independent Age, Reengage, Bonny Downs Community Association, Bromley by Bow Centre, Creative Support, Hackney Caribbean Elders Organisation, Hackney CVS, Zacchaeus, St Luke’s Over 50s and East End Community Foundation.
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