Report on Loneliness: Health and Social Care for Older Persons in UK

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of elderly care in the UK and Sweden, with a focus on the pervasive issues of loneliness and isolation. It begins by defining 'elderly person' in both countries and presents statistics on the aging populations, highlighting recent changes and demogra...Read More

Health and Social Care -
Living with Care -The Older
Person - Assessment 1
Report

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................2
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................2
a) Meaning of elderly person in UK and the country of choice..........................................2
b) Statistics on the ageing population and how changed in recent years........................3
c) Discussing theories of loneliness and isolation and exploring the concepts
associated with loneliness.......................................................................................................4
d) Discussing the impact of loneliness and isolation on an older person living within
care setting.................................................................................................................................4
e) Critical examination of current legislation and policies...................................................5
f) Comparing local, national and global provision of services for the older person in
line with current initiatives and policy.....................................................................................6
g) Future care of older person and examining the changes made to the programmes
aimed at addressing problems of loneliness among adults’ and technology applied for
the provision to lonely older persons.....................................................................................7
h) Recommendations...............................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION...............................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................9
1

INTRODUCTION
Health and social care are defined as care provided to the older people within care setting
which is done in both UK and Sweden (Alaszewski, Billings and Coxon, 2019).
Thus, the report will analyse that elderly person in UK and Sweden are being compared
analysed at large scale. Further, statistics of the ageing population and how it has been
changed in recent years will be developed and described effectively in comparison to UK and
Sweden. Relevant theories of isolation and loneliness will be analysed along with concepts of
loneliness being evaluated and described. Furthermore, impact of loneliness and isolation will
be described on an older person living in care setting of both UK and Sweden. Current
legislations and policies which aims to raise awareness or reduce loneliness and isolation in
elderly population will also be described and identified at large scale. Comparison of local,
national and global provision of services for older person with current initiatives and policies will
also be explained effectively and appropriately. Moreover, future care of older person with
effective use of technology and certain recommendations will also be provided.
MAIN BODY
a) Meaning of elderly person in UK and the country of choice
An elderly person is referred to as the person who is 65 years and above is known as
elderly person. The UK has ageing population and has been relying on the facts and information
which is being provided when there the proper analysis of elderly person in UK are being taken
into concern. There are aspects as to how effectively and in appropriate manner the elderly
people are being identified. The number of older people is also rising which brings the aspects
as to how the elderly people are being mentioned and are being taken into consideration at
large scale (Songur, 2021). This is done in comparison with Sweden. The country which is
being chosen for comparison is Sweden as it will help ion knowing that how much of the
population is categorised as falling into elder people. There will be difference in the statistics of
both the countries which helps in analysing the aspects of growth and development of both the
countries at large scale by analysing and collecting all the facts and information about the
elderly people which are residing in both UK and Sweden.
This helps in addressing the aspects of how effectively and in appropriate manner the
information is gathered about the elderly people residing in UK and Sweden and comparing
them to the growth, changes and development which are taken place within the country at large
scale. 65 is the age which is considered elder person in UK. The population of Sweden which is
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being categorised as elder people are above the age of 80 and more (Stanfors, Jacobs and
et.al., 2019). Therefore, both the countries which are Sweden and UK help in providing the
information about the elderly people who are residing in UK and Sweden. This also helps in
knowing the information which is being gathered and collected at large scale. This will be further
detailed in the manner as to how the elderly people are being taken care of. The statistics of
elderly people residing in UK and Sweden will be provided which helps inn knowing that age of
elder people is different in both the countries which are UK and Sweden.
b) Statistics on the ageing population and how changed in recent years
The ageing population in UK and Sweden have been different and this helps in explaining
that both the countries have different statistics which are being compared to each other and
differing in an appropriate manner according to the growth and development of both the
countries. There are aspects as to how both the countries have different statistics which are
interrelated with each other and are compare at large scale. The statistics of UK and Sweden
have been analysed and evaluated at large scale (Johansson, Zahl and et.al., 2018). The
statistics of UK has ageing population. There are nearly 12 million who are aged 65 and above
in which 5.4 million people are aged 75+. There are people which are aged 85+ which are 1.6
million. In UK, there are 50,000 people who are 90+. There are certain aspects as to how UK is
providing all the information and statistics which are able to analyse the aspects which is
considering the elderly people in UK.
The Sweden statistics of elderly people are being analysed and evaluated at large scale
and this helps in addressing the aspects that how many elderly people are there in the Sweden.
Sweden currently has the larger number of elder people population in the world. The last year
had the statistics of 1.5 million people who were aged above 65 denotes that it contributes to
the population of 17. 2 percent. This is the statistics of both the countries which has been
denoted by the perspective of how many elderly people are there in UK and Sweden and which
country serves the largest population in being the elderly person (Drefahl, Wallace and et.al.,
2020). It is being analysed that Sweden is being considered as having the larger population of
elder people. The statistics helps in analysing and evaluating the same with considering the
changes which have been taken place at large scale. There are aspects as to how the Sweden
is being analysed and this helps in creating value for which the Sweden is having changes in
the increase of elderly people population. Therefore, both UK and Sweden have been changing
the lifestyle patterns to analyse the elderly people scale effectively.
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c) Discussing theories of loneliness and isolation and exploring the concepts associated with
loneliness
The elderly people are experiencing the loneliness which is making them move towards being
lazy and they are unable to engage themselves into the activities at large scale. The elderly
people therefore are facing the phase of being isolated and lonely which Is affecting their health
and wellbeing. There are certain theories which helps in addressing to the aspect of how the
elderly people are facing the loneliness and isolation when they are alive. The theories of
loneliness are described as –
Behavioural approach of loneliness – The behavioural approach of loneliness is
characterized by traits of personality that are associated with harmful patterns of interpersonal
interaction. Loneliness is correlated with social anxiety, sadness, low self-esteem, distrust etc.
People are less likely to share any kind of information with other people (Arslan, 2021). And in
relation to this, there are aspects as to how the elderly people are facing the phase of loneliness
which they are facing. Elderly people are more likely to face this situation of loneliness which
makes them more engaged towards having the aspect of loneliness. This helps in addressing
the fact that the elderly people are face problems in communicating and experiencing the
aspects that they are facing the phase of loneliness.
Temperament Isolation Theory – This theory is also called personality bias theory or
personality discrimination which explains that how the culture favours specific temperament and
how such people interact with the other people having different temperaments. This helps in
knowing the aspects as to how the people are ensuring their ways in knowing that other people
are having different temperaments at large scale (Pucker, Temes and et.al., 2019). This is
understood in relation to how the elderly people are facing this stage of being temperament
which is defining their isolation to where they are living.
The concept behind loneliness is defined as sad or aching sense of isolation. That is
referred to as being alone, cut off and distancing from others. Elderly people are facing the
phase of being lonely and isolated at large scale. They are also suffering from the loneliness
and isolation which is making it difficult for them to live in such mental conditions.
d) Discussing the impact of loneliness and isolation on an older person living within care setting
There is higher risk of isolation and loneliness on an older person within care setting which
is affecting the health of the older person. There are major health risks to the older people loving
within the care setting of UK and Sweden. There has been research which has linked social
isolation to higher risk for mental conditions due to which the older people are facing impacts of
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loneliness and isolation at large scale. More than 2 million people in England are living alone
are socially isolated which helps in analysing the fact that older people are suffering from the
health risks which they are intaking and this is creating difficulties in living their lives. The impact
of loneliness and isolation on an older person is affecting the mental health of the older person
within the care setting (Yang, Wang and et.al., 2020).
The older people are cut off from the society at the age above 75 and therefore these
effects their physical and mental health both. The older people within the care setting are being
affected by many health diseases such as high blood pressure, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s
disease and even death. The older people might face the difficulties in having anxiety and
depression which makes them more enclosed in being a socially isolated person. It has been
also observed that loneliness and isolation has devalued the quality of life of the older people
living within care setting of UK and Sweden (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and
Medicine, 2020). There has been loss of independence and well being has been reduced. It
degrades the value of living a life which the older people are living within the care setting. There
are adverse health consequences due to which the older people are being infected and this
eradicates the living of life freely while residing in the care setting. The older people are more
likely to face the stages of depression when they are being isolated and are kept lonelier in the
care setting. This makes them suffer from various diseases which makes them affect the mental
and physical health. It is very important to take care of the older people in the care setting so
that they are able to take care of themselves.
e) Critical examination of current legislation and policies
Legislation
In UK, The Care Act 2014 works for taking actions on loneliness and isolation by being
in coordination with the Health and wellbeing boards, Adult Social Care and public Health. The
Act also provides statutory guidance for interpreting loneliness and offers a framework named
‘Promising Approaches’ for reducing loneliness. Under the Care Act 2014, Loneliness has been
considered as an eligible need (The Care Act 2014 and Loneliness, 2022).
As compared to this, Sweden has legislations for improving the overall physical
environment of the elderly which covers reducing loneliness. the municipal taxes and the
government grants ensure that the care for elderly people in Sweden is properly funded. This
covers the aspect related to loneliness in elderly.
Policy
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In the UK, Age UK holds strong policy positions that covers a wide range of issues
related with elderly such as their health, wellbeing, care and support. these also include age –
friendly neighbourhoods (Loneliness, 2019). “Campaign To End Loneliness” also provides
policy briefings related to the issue of loneliness in elderly people. Better Care Fund also covers
this aspect related to the elderly people. Further, the Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework
also provides information on actions to be taken to prevent loneliness. The Domain 2 in NHS
outcomes framework is related to enhancing quality of life for people suffering with long term
conditions (Campaign to End Loneliness, 2022). This would assist in preventing and reducing
loneliness in the life of elderly people.
As compared to this, in Sweden emphasis is being laid on reducing elderly loneliness by
taking various actions such as provision of adequate funds by the government. Swedish welfare
policy aims to provide health and social care to the elderly. The policy is putting in place several
initiatives which are aimed at meeting the future needs of the elderly. Prevention of loneliness is
one such need. However, there is no specific policy in place to address the loneliness in elderly
people particularly. UK performs better than Sweden by forming various frameworks and grants
and ensuring that they are well implemented in the required areas.
f) Comparing local, national and global provision of services for the older person in line with
current initiatives and policy
The local provision of services for the older person in line with current initiatives and policy helps
in knowing that UK and Sweden are providing the aspects of providing care and facilities to the
older patients which is relation to how the care services are being provided to them by the care
homes which are locally situated within UK and Sweden. The local provisions include the care
which is given to the older people in the care home which includes all the facilities such as
providing them medicines on time and preparing the older people to take care of themselves.
With the help of local provisions which are provided to the older people in UK and Sweden the
care settings such as NHS is able to provide the proper medication facilities by taking care of
the older people in an appropriate manner (Marć, Bartosiewicz and et.al., 2019).
The national provision of services for the older people in line with current initiatives and
policies helps in addressing the fact that UK and Sweden are taking care of the older people in
the care homes and are addressing the aspects of how the care is being provided to the older
people. The campaign to end loneliness which is being undertaken helps in addressing the
aspect as to how the campaign is focusing on how to end the loneliness at national level.
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Otherwise, the services which are provided to the older people are in concern with how the
facilities and care is being provided to the older people.
The global provision of services for older person in line with current initiatives and policy
helps in addressing the care and facilities which are being provided to the older people wit
reference to be globally active (Brooke and Jackson, 2020). The global services help in
ensuring that how effectively the care is being taken into consideration which helps in
understanding the aspect of how the policies and regulations regarding the services is being
provided at large scale. This helps in knowing that how the care services to the older people are
being analysed and evaluated at large scale.
g) Future care of older person and examining the changes made to the programmes aimed at
addressing problems of loneliness among adults’ and technology applied for the provision
to lonely older persons
The care of older person can be taken into consideration as how effectively and in appropriate
manner in home support services like cleaning, laundry, gardening can help the older people in
engaging into activities so that they are distracted of thinking about anything which makes them
lonely and isolated. The future care of the older person can be provided to them in the manner
by engaging the older people into certain activities and tasks which keeps them activated at all
times within the care setting (Lewis, 2019).There are certain programmes which aims at
addressing problems of loneliness and among adults can be done in the manner which helps in
addressing the aspects of reassessing the thinking abilities and regaining the hope among the
adults. The programmes such as practicing self-compassion among the adults will help
resolving the problems which are related to loneliness and isolation among older adults. With
the help of conducting activities and tasks there are certain measures as to how effectively and
in appropriate manner the loneliness among the older adults is removed. Encouraging positive
body image can be promoted to the side of how care is being provided to the older people is
also analysed and evaluated at large scale.
The technology applied in the provision of care provisions to lonely older persons in UK
and Sweden is that the use of technology can bring the older people relieve their stress as they
will be able to engage into the communicative forms with other people by using the internet
facilities which helps them in knowing the aspects of how the older people are taking care of
themselves in removing the loneliness which they are facing (Kaehne, 2018). There are aspects
as to how effectively and in appropriate manner the changes are being brought into action by
the usage of technology which helps in improving the condition of older people becoming lonely.
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Technology also helps in straying connected with each other which will help older people to
communicate more and come out of the stage of being lonely.
h) Recommendations
There are certain recommendations which should be followed and taken as important for
the improvements which are needed for the older people for taking care of themselves. These
recommendations are –
 The older adults should be engaged into activities and tasks which will keep them busy
and there are less chances that they suffer from loneliness and isolation.
 Framing of active policies and legislations should be done so that the care setting is able
to frame those policies in appropriate and qualitative manner (Fazio, Pace and et.al.,
2018).
 Proper providence of care facilities to the older adults should be taken care of within the
care setting so that the older people do not face any difficulties and problems such as
being lonely or isolated.
 The following of rules and regulations should be undertaken by both the countries UK
and Sweden so that the care is being provided to the older people in effective manner.
CONCLUSION
Thus, it is concluded from the above report that elderly person in UK and Sweden were
being compared analysed at large scale. Further, statistics of the ageing population and how it
has been changed in recent years was being developed and described effectively in comparison
to UK and Sweden. Relevant theories of isolation and loneliness were analysed along with
concepts of loneliness being evaluated and described. Furthermore, impact of loneliness and
isolation was described on an older person living in care setting of both UK and Sweden.
Current legislations and policies which aims top raise awareness or reduce loneliness and
isolation in elderly population were also described and identified at large scale. Comparison of
local, national and global provision of services for older person with current initiatives and
policies were also explained effectively and appropriately. Moreover, future care of older person
with effective use of technology and certain recommendations were also provided.
8

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Alaszewski, A., Billings, J. and Coxon, K., 2019. Integrated health and social care for older
persons: theoretical and conceptual issues. In Providing integrated health
and social care for older persons (pp. 53-94). Routledge.
Arslan, G., 2021. School belongingness, well-being, and mental health among adolescents:
Exploring the role of loneliness. Australian Journal of Psychology. 73(1).
pp.70-80.
Brooke, J. and Jackson, D., 2020. Older people and COVID-19 isolation, risk and
ageism. Journal of clinical nursing.
Drefahl, S., Wallace, M. and et.al., 2020. A population-based cohort study of socio-demographic
risk factors for COVID-19 deaths in Sweden. Nature
communications. 11(1). pp.1-7.
Fazio, S., Pace, D. and et.al., 2018. Alzheimer’s Association dementia care practice
recommendations. The Gerontologist. 58(suppl_1). pp.S1-S9.
Johansson, M., Zahl, P.H. and et.al., 2018. Benefits and harms of screening men for abdominal
aortic aneurysm in Sweden: a registry-based cohort study. The
Lancet, 391(10138). pp. 2441-2447.
Kaehne, A., 2018. Care Integration–From" One Size Fits All" to Person Centred Care: Comment
on" Achieving Integrated Care for Older People: Shuffling the Deckchairs
or Making the System Watertight for the Future?". International journal of
health policy and management. 7(10). p.955.
Lewis, L., 2019. Why is future care planning so important for people living with frailty?.
Marć, M., Bartosiewicz, A. and et.al., 2019. A nursing shortage–a prospect of global and local
policies. International nursing review. 66(1). pp.9-16.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2020. Social isolation and
loneliness in older adults: Opportunities for the health care system.
National Academies Press.
Pucker, H.E., Temes, C.M. and et.al., 2019. Description and prediction of social isolation in
borderline patients over 20 years of prospective follow-up. Personality
Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment. 10(4). p.383.
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Songur, W., 2021. Older migrants’ use of elderly care in Sweden: family affects choice between
home help services and special housing. European Journal of Social
Work. 24(3). pp.481-491.
Stanfors, M., Jacobs, J.C. and et.al., 2019. Caregiving time costs and trade-offs: Gender
differences in Sweden, the UK, and Canada. SSM-population health. 9.
p.100501.
Yang, R., Wang, H. and et.al., 2020. Loneliness as a mediator of the impact of social isolation
on cognitive functioning of Chinese older adults. Age and Ageing. 49(4).
pp.599-604.
Online
Campaign to End Loneliness. 2022. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://campaigntoendloneliness.org/guidance/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Outcomes-
Frameworks.pdf>. [Accessed on 16 March, 2022].
Elderly care in Sweden. 2021. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://sweden.se/life/society/elderly-care-in-sweden>. [Accessed on 16 March, 2022].
Loneliness. 2019. [Online]. Available Through: <https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-
uk/documents/policy-positions/health-and-wellbeing/
ppp_loneliness_and_isolation_uk.pdf>. [Accessed on 16 March, 2022].
The Care Act 2014 and Loneliness. 2022. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://campaigntoendloneliness.org/guidance/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/The-Care-
Act-2014-and-Loneliness.pdf>. [Accessed on 16 March, 2022].
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