UK appoints a Minister for Loneliness

Britain appoints minister for loneliness to continue work of murdered politician Jo Cox

Britain has appointed a minister for loneliness to take forward the work of murdered politician Jo Cox and tackle the isolation felt by more than one in 10 people in the UK.

Do you think Australia could create a similar ministerial position?

(question added by YLC moderator)

11 comments

The U.K. has appointed a minister of loneliness to tackle what Prime Minister Theresa May calls a "sad reality of modern life" for many U.K.

 

"I want to confront this challenge for our society and for all of us to take action to address the loneliness endured by the elderly, by carers, by those who have lost loved ones — people who have no one to talk to or share their thoughts and experiences with," said May.

 

According to government figures, more than 9 million people in the U.K. "always or often feel lonely" and "around 200,000 older people have not had a conversation with a friend or relative in more than a month."

lonliness-2_sq-6a913be6dd7b1809d3ef8756e1ec9f1652ae46df-s700-c85.jpg

SHOTS - HEALTH NEWS

Easing Old People's Loneliness Can Help Keep Them Healthy

An increasing body of research has found that feelings of social isolation can have profound health effects; according to a government commission, loneliness is as bad for people's health as smoking 15 cigarettes daily.


The number of Australians over 65 will more than double in the next 40 years. The overwhelming majority of them want to stay in their homes as they get older. Despite this, nearly one in five people will end up in aged care facilities against their wishes.

 

Research recently published in the Journal of Housing for the Elderly followed 1000 older Melburnians for 16 years. At the beginning of the study they were asked where they wanted to live when they were no longer able to manage on their own. Some 75 per cent said they wanted to stay at home with help; 5 per cent said they wanted to move to an aged care facility.

SMH 

The proportion of people living alone in Australia is projected to be between 2.8 million and 3.7 million by 2026. [1] Additionally, by 2021, up to 24% of people living alone will be older Australians (aged 75 years and over), and of these about three-quarters will be women. [2]

 

By the year 2031 it has also been estimated that in Australia there will be between 28% and 48% of people requiring palliative care will be living alone ..

 

 

Sent from my iPadhttps://www.caresearch.com.au/caresearch/tabid/1417/Default.aspx



As the population increases and ages, so do the number of those living with chronic illness. This may mean being alone at home with less capacity in terms of function, mobility and access to social activities. In the past, elderly widows were those more commonly found living alone, but we now increasingly see adults in their middle years also living alone. Although the majority of younger people still live in family households, the number of people aged 20-29 years living alone has almost doubled in the past 30 years. [4]


So if this Minister is successful he will be out of a job? In that case why give this job to a career PS?

She., 

And She is an elected politician as are all ministers ,

Do you have any positive input to this thread ?

What next?A minister for Funny Walks?

As the aged are a fast growing part of the population with unique problems I would like to see a Minister for the aged perhaps incorporating the role of Minister for loneliness ..

yep a minister for lonliness, may be able to solve your problem brocks

RE: "Do you think Australia could create a similar ministerial position?"

Definitely NOT ...we pay enough politicians who sit on their hands ...and do not need any more.

Maybe we could replace the Minister for Multiculturalism with one for the aged .

Or the Minister for Sport and recreation 

If that picture is the minister for loneliness with a head like that she is going to be very lonely.

I suppose one could put a sack over her face and enjoy the rest.....whoops naughty boy.

This is so ridiculous that words fail me. What in the name of all that is holy, would we need a Minister for Loneliness?? I assume they mean Loneliness and not aloneness??

Loneliness as I understand it is a feeling, it is not something we do.

What next? A minister for sad people? Or how about a minister for people who find it difficult to stop laughing? 

Downright ridiculous shame they don't find money for something they REALLY need like feeding the homeless or helping those that really need help.

Exactly! How about a Minister for the homeless rough sleepers?

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