The losses associated with becoming old involve Beach and Bamford (2014) found that: not only loss of physical and cognitive capacity Isolated and lonely men were much more and functional ability, but also the loss of friends > and family members (van Baarsen, 2002). Any or likely to be in poor health. Over a quarter all of these losses may contribute to experiences (28%) of the loneliest men said their health of loneliness among the very old (Graneheim and was poor, in contrast to just 1 in 20 (5%) men Lundman 2010). who were not lonely A partner’s poor health also affected men’s According to figures from the ONS (Siegler et al. > 2015), 1 in 8 (13%) people aged 75 and over who isolation and loneliness. Nearly 15% of men reported feeling lonely more than half, most or aged 85 and over were carers and were all the time in 2011 to 2012, the second highest more likely to be lonely than those without proportion of all age groups (see figure 2 above). caring roles Mental health, particularly depression, was Personal circumstances, such as poor health, > living alone, caring for someone else, going also important. Over 1 in 4 (26%) of the most through a relationship break-up or loss, or isolated men were depressed, in contrast to moving to a new area away from existing social just 6% of the least isolated networks can all be factors contributing to Around a third of the most isolated men (36%) > feelings of loneliness. were in the lowest income group compared to Just 1 in 4 people aged 75 and over reported just 7% of the least isolated. meeting with friends, relatives or work colleagues Moreover, work by Scharf et al. (2005) in the less than once week in 2012 to 2013 (see Fig. UK revealed considerably higher estimates of 2 on page 9). It is known that older people, severe loneliness among older people living in especially those aged 75 and over, are vulnerable low income urban neighbourhoods (15%) than to social isolation which can impact on their those found in Victor et al’s (2003) research physical and mental health. People can become (7%), which focused on older people living in the socially isolated for various reasons, including general population. Similarly, research suggests long-term health conditions and illnesses (Lloyd that prevalence rates among specific sub-groups, and Ross 2014), or owing to the deaths of such as older people living alone, and those who partners or friends. Similarly, there was a strong are chronically physically or mentally ill, may also association between age and the presence of be higher than within the general older population at least one close friend. Around 11% of people (Grenade and Boldy 2008). aged 75 and over reported having no close In addition, older adults with lower levels of friend at all in 2011 to 2012 (Siegler et al. 2015), contact with friends and family in receipt of the highest proportion of all age groups. This social care, or those who feel they are not compared to 2% of those aged 18 to 34. Another integrated into their community, are more likely 10% of people aged 75 and over reported having to experience social loneliness. Older adults one close friend only. More men than women are more likely to feel emotionally lonely if they reported having no close friend across all ages, have to rely on informal care and have a physical with the difference between sexes being more disability or simply problems with normal activities marked at older age: around 14% of men aged of daily living. 75 and over reported having no close friend compared to 9% of women aged 75 and over. In general, the research reinforces the need to Of course, older people are not a homogenous minimise the risks of loneliness and social isolation group, with older people of different genders or to maximise health outcomes. Social isolation with different socioeconomic backgrounds more is modifiable, and so there is an opportunity for or less likely to be “at risk”. In their research on creative programs and interventions to foster isolation and loneliness as they affect older men, social connections for older adults. For example, Clustered groups at risk of isolation or loneliness 16