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Older men ‘feel left out and socially excluded’

COUNCILS should give more priority to running social groups to help men of retirement age overcome loneliness, a study published today says.

Men aged between 65 and 95 feel more socially excluded compared with women of the same generation, the University of Bristol study says.

A total of 111 men above retirement age living in the west of England were interviewed in the two-year study.

It follows a report by Age UK predicting that the number of over-fifties suffering from loneliness will reach two million by 2025-6.

The risk of isolation appears to increase with age and for those with health problems and disabilities. Bristol’s researchers found that such feelings were triggered by life events such as the loss of a partner, retirement or relocation.

Study participants were generally reluctant to speak out, often because of the potential stigma attached to being lonely. The researchers found that men with adult children avoided speaking to them as they did not want to worry them or because it did not conform to their role as a father-type figurehead.

The research found that men valued mixed-age groups that mirror everyday social interactions as opposed to groups specifically targeting older people.

Bristol’s Dr Paul Willis said: “Support for such groups needs to be given greater priority by local authorities, both in terms of support from social workers and long-term funding.”

Age UK director Caroline Abrahams said: “The study also gives service providers like Age UK useful tips on how to help older men overcome loneliness and things to consider when engaging with those from seldom-heard groups.”

The project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research’s school for social care research.

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