Next Wednesday at 10.30 in the Flavel we will be launching our new video focusing on loneliness and the impact it has on loves and communities.

Everyone is welcome but please RSVP to Katherine in the office – 01803-835384

Loneliness
Researchers have put a financial price on the epidemic of loneliness estimating it costs £6000 per person in health costs and the pressure it places on local services. The LSE study of older people says that for every £ spent in preventing loneliness there are £3 of savings to be gained.

Loneliness appears to be the last taboo and Deborah Moggach states “old age must not face the inevitable descent into despair, more effort has to be made to stop people becoming isolated and lonely, we have to stop thinking of somebody else’s problems. As a society we need to recognise loneliness as an issue and put something in place that enables older generations to flourish not to flounder”.

It has been estimated that 1.2 million people in the UK experience chronic loneliness and this links to their poorer physical and mental health and the associated increase in the use of GP’s, hospitals and social services. Researchers say we could save up to £3.6bn per year by preventing loneliness.

Loneliness is linked to early death and higher rates of dementia. Dartmouth Caring is aware of how debilitating loneliness can be so we have made a DVD to emphasize the services we offer through our services such as; the lunch clubs, memory cafes, our volunteers providing befriending all help to alleviate loneliness within our small community of Dartmouth.

Dee Nutt
MBE