- Study predicts one in ten over-60s will live solitary lives by 2033
- Suggests German scheme where older people 'adopt' grandchildren
- IPPR warns development could have major effect on Britain's care bill
Two million over-40s will face
‘chronic loneliness’ in their old age because of the breakdown of
traditional families, a report warns today.
Despite
‘significant falls’ in the number of pensioners living in poverty, many
face a bleak retirement, according to the Institute for Public Policy
Research (IPPR).
The
situation is so stark that the report suggests copying a German scheme
where older people with no children, or whose families live far away,
are encouraged to ‘adopt’ grandchildren raised in single parent families
to help them in old age.
As divorce among the middle-aged soars, the Institute of Public Policy Research warned of chronic loneliness
The study predicts that
the number of over-60s will soar from five million to 20 million by the
year 2033. Of these, around one in ten will be leading chronically
lonely lives.
‘Longer life
expectancy, the breakdown of extended families and the growing number of
older people living alone is making it harder for older people to
sustain strong relationships and connections to community life,’ the
report says.
‘On current projections it can be expected that nearly two million people will be experiencing chronic loneliness by 2033.
‘This
includes over 800,000 people in their 80s and 90s who typically have
mobility problems that make it hard for them to stay active.
‘We
are not doing enough in Britain to ensure that this rapidly growing
group of people has the necessary opportunities to sustain their
relationships and take part in activities that give meaning to their
lives.’
The IPPR says the development will have major consequences for Britain’s social care bill unless action is taken.
The study warned the number of over-60s will soar to 20 million by 2033 - and one in ten will live alone
become dependent on the state for care as they lose touch with family
members who might once have helped them lead more independent lives.
The study predicts the number of older
people in need of care will outstrip the number of family members able
to provide unpaid help for the first time in 2017.
By
2030, an estimated 230,000 older people in England who need more than
20 hours a week of care will be left without relatives to help.
The
report stresses that older people are not just recipients of care –
they are also among the main providers. The number of people providing
significant care for an ageing spouse is forecast to rise by 90 per cent
by 2030.
It suggests that
Britain should follow the lead of countries such as Germany and
Australia in building greater alternative care provision for the future.
Authorities
in Berlin are encouraging the childless to ‘adopt’ grandchildren from
single parent families in the hope they may look after them in old age.
Elderly people are being advised to 'adopt' grandchildren following schemes set up in Germany
The state-backed scheme
helps people find suitable families who have children under ten. In many
cases, children have lost contact with their own grandparents who may
live far away.
Their new ‘grandparents’ socialise with the family and may help with things such as babysitting.
Some
480 matches have been made to date, with many of the youngsters keeping
in touch with their adoptive grandparents into adulthood.
In Western Australia, each community has a dedicated ‘neighbourhood care co-ordinator’ who looks out for those living alone.
Clare
McNeil, of the IPPR, urged the Government to take action to prevent a
care crisis, saying: ‘The supply of unpaid care to older people with
support needs by their adult children will not keep pace with future
demand.’
