report low feelings of worth (10.5% compared There is no generalizable evidence on the with 1.1%), over 7 times more likely to report low financial costs of loneliness or isolation, but life satisfaction (15.2% compared to 1.9%) and a number of research projects seem to be over 3 times more likely to report feeling unhappy underway to evaluate these costs. Fulton and (18.8% compared to 5.6%) than those who have Jupp (2015) attempted to quantify the financial low ratings of loneliness. They are also twice as impact of loneliness in terms of increased service likely to report feeling anxious (34.8% compared usage by older people, and estimated that this to 15.1%) (Thomas 2015). could cost up to £12,000 per person over the According to Nicholson (2009), researchers have next 15 years. However, the model is based reported a number of specific negative effects on several assumptions about the impact of linked to low social networks, such as heavy loneliness on service usage and until there is drinking, falls, depression/depressive symptoms reliable data about people’s pathways through and poor outcomes after stroke, increased rates health and social care services, it will be difficult of re-hospitalization, loneliness and alteration in to estimate these costs with any certainty. the family process. Other consequences reported were nutritional Evaluating the benefits of the risk (Locher et al. 2005), Researchers from the Second Half Centre Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR) Based on a Preventative Care Model, the first looked at data from nearly 15,000 adults aged Second Half Centre opened in Kensington, over 50 (Conklin et al. 2014). They found that: Being single or widowed decreased the London in 2012. It has an average of over > 250 people each week coming through its daily variety of fruit and vegetables eaten (compared to those who were married or doors to participate on activities on offer. This living with a partner) report looks at the potential for Second Half Single, separated and widowed men ate Foundation ‘local hubs’ model to reduce social > isolation amongst older people and deliver fewer different vegetables than women in similar circumstances savings to local and national health services. Both living alone and having less frequent The report concluded that services based on > contact with friends increased the effect the model of the Second Half Centre produce of widowhood by reducing the variety of returns of over 135% a year to the NHS and vegetables an individual ate local Clinical Commissioning Groups People who lived alone and had infrequent (Shaw Ruddock 2014). > contact with friends ate fewer vegetables each day. Nutrition plays a key role in healthy ageing. In the UK, it is estimated that around 70,000 avoidable deaths are caused by diets that do not match current guidelines. This research therefore has implications for policy and practice. For example, interventions that increase various types of social relationships could support adults to eat a healthy diet – these could include social activities or targeting health-eating interventions at people who also at risk of loneliness or isolation (e.g. recently bereaved people). Isolation and loneliness 12