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UK Wedding News

12/04/2013

Rise In 'Silver Splitters' Drives Loneliness

New research has revealed one in three people over the age of 50 struggle with loneliness, partly driven by an increase in 'silver splitter' divorces.

According to the Telegraph, the study, which was published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that loneliness was found most among those who live alone or have long-standing illnesses which prompt them to become more isolated.

The report also focused on the role of divorce and separation among over 50s as a major contributory factor.

Through using data gathered as part of the English Longitudinal Study on Ageing, the ONS found 34% of people aged 52 or over openly described themselves as feeling lonely some – or much – of the time. Among the over 80s, this number rose to 46%, including 17% who said they felt lonely much of the time.

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Of those who lived alone, 6 out of 10 said they felt lonely, while 63% of those who had been widowed felt lonely some or much of the time; 51% of those who had divorced or separated said they felt lonely.

When the figures were broken down, almost seven million of the 'baby-boomer' generation and above, admitted to feeling lonely.

The latest report follows official figures published last year, that showed the numbers of so-called 'silver splitters' – older people getting divorced from their husband or wife – had almost doubled in a decade.

Laura Ferguson, Director of the Campaign to End Loneliness, said social changes meant that Britain could soon be facing a loneliness epidemic.

She said: "In the cohort of people coming through there are larger numbers of people living alone – partly due to divorce – than ever before.

"If we don’t shift attitudes to being alone and not being happy with that, I think frankly they are a time bomb.

"If there is a large cohort coming through with all of the risk factors [for loneliness] we are going to have a very serious problem."

(JP/CD)

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"New research has revealed one in three people over the age of 50 struggle with loneliness, partly driven by an increase in 'silver splitter' divorces."