A rising number of over 65s living alone will drive demand for later life social care and other public health services, says Just Group.
The latest census reveals that 3.3 million people over 65 now live alone, an increase of around 420,000 over the past decade.
Just Group said the findings are significant because research demonstrates a close link between living alone, poor health and a greater use of public health services.
Stephen Lowe, group communications director at Just Group, said: “Every year, household data shows the clock is running down on a demographic time bomb for the UK’s creaking social care sector. These latest government figures show double-digit growth in the number of over 65s living alone over the past decade. Older people are more likely to suffer from health conditions as well as loneliness which in itself can contribute to deteriorating health.
“The almost inevitable knock-on effect from this will be an increased demand for public health services such as social care, piling pressure on a sector that is already struggling to cope.”
Research from Just Group’s 2022 Care Report found that 75% of those aged 65 and over have not thought about care, planned for it or spoken to loved ones about it and 59% also said they were confused by the recent government announcements on social care.
Lowe added: “Our Care Index shows year after year that millions of people in our ageing society are unprepared for the eventuality that they may need care in later life. And who can blame them. Pronouncements and retreats typify government policy on social care for the last twenty years, the public is confused by the constant change and losing faith that the problem will ever be tackled.
“If the government wants to encourage people to plan then it must set out a clear timeline for implementing the latest reforms.”
