OUGD603 - Brief 2 RSA: Alone Together Research

In order to carry out the research into the topic, it would be easier to divide the findings among different groups that experience loneliness. Through investigating the causes of loneliness, it will be possible to propose solutions to the issue.

Elderly

Which.co.uk - Causes of Loneliness article

• half of all people aged 75 and over are living alone in the UK, with 1 in 10 of 65 and over saying they have experienced loneliness.
• Retirement, bereavement, lack of friendship, poor physical health, location of living, lack of transport or financial difficulties are the main causes of loneliness
• It could also be a less common cause, such as a symptom of depression or through medical conditions such as dementia. 

Campaign to End Loneliness

• The Campaign to End Loneliness is an organisation that uses a web platform to encourage people to help tackle loneliness. Through campaigning, involvement in communities and donations, the organisation aims to bring awareness to the issue and provides the opportunity for individuals to contact helplines or look for the signs of loneliness in someone they know.
• The website for the campaign itself is divided into the different campaign strategies, resources and support platforms. This gives users the opportunity to navigate the page in accordance to their concerns or interest. In the resources section of the website, there are PDFs that summarise the campaign in more depth and identify the intentions of the organisation.

• PDFs such as The Missing Million, give audiences a way to visualise the ideas surrounding the topic. Through the use of positive, colourful graphics the campaign can identify the issues in a way that will seem familiar to the individual viewer who may be experiencing the symptoms or looking for advice on the topic.

aplaceformom.com - 14 Ways to Help Seniors Avoid Isolation article

• This article is aimed at people that may have worry for an elderly family member and offers them several solutions that could help them to care for their family.
• Some of the suggestions included in the article include, encouraging positive body image, dining together, attendance to places of worship, something to take care of (pets/plants) and making technologies more available.
• The article also points out that caregivers may be at risk of developing loneliness as a result of taking care of someone else.