Most New Zealanders dread chronic ill health in old age but research suggests they should be more concerned about loneliness.
Forty-four percent of older New Zealanders say they are lonely, with at least 45,000 “severely lonely”. Research indicates that loneliness and social isolation can lead to a range of serious health and social problems, including heart disease, stroke, dementia, depression and entry into rest home care.
Churchgoers have responded to this hidden problem by developing and participating in programmes that alleviate social isolation by visiting the loneliest people in our communities.
Age Concern’s Accredited Visiting Service (AVS) has been operating for 20 years and offers a safe way for lonely older people to receive visits from a volunteer.
More than 1700 older people, who are 80 percent female and 68 percent living alone, receive AVS visits...
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> SOURCE Spanz Magazine, Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
– ANGELA SINGER reporter.