Imagine if going to the supermarket was the high spot of your day. That would be pretty sad, right?
And yet for almost a quarter of a million older people in Scotland going to the supermarket is a reason to leave the house – more than 70,000 say they would talk to no-one if they didn’t go.
The new research, published by Age Scotland as it steps up its No one should have no one campaign to tackle loneliness among older people, highlights just how important retailers are for many older people who may otherwise stay at home feeling lonely.
The new figures show that 115,000 over 60s visit a supermarket every day and a further 418,000 go at least 2-3 times per week.
Around 100,000 older people in Scotland are chronically lonely and Age Scotlans is warning that life events such as bereavement, ill health and complex long-term health conditions such as diabetes and arthritis – all more common in later life – can all give rise to feelings of loneliness which, if left unaddressed, can cause long-term misery.
To add insult to injury, chronic loneliness can also have serious health consequences, contributing to the development of serious medical conditions, such as heart problems and strokes, depression and dementia.
Keith Robson, chief executive of Age Scotland, explains: “A friendly chat with a member of staff working at the till or walking the shop floor can brighten up an older person’s day and do much more good than most of us would ever guess. So we would like to encourage every supermarket, and everyone who works in one, to be outgoing and cheerful with their older customers.
“Loneliness sucks the joy out of life and affects far too many older people, but if we all play our part there’s a lot we can do to tackle the problem. “
Older people and their families can get in touch with Age Scotland to see how the charity could help someone who may be feeling lonely. Call the free Age Scotland Helpline on 0800 12 444 222, open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Age Scotland advisors offer essential support on a wide range of issues free of charge.
www.ageuk.org.uk
Did you know…?
Most of the Vitamin C found in fruits is in the skin.
You can buy square watermelons in Japan (developed to stack better in supermarkets).
Avocados have more calories than any other fruit.
The ancient Greeks first grew carrots as a form of medicine and not a food.
The frozen foods were first introduced in the 1920s.
The average person swallows an incredible 295 times during a meal.
A connected bunch of bananas is called a hand and individual bananas are called fingers.
Arachibutyrophobia is fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth.
Cabbage is 91% water.
Onions are part of the lily family.
Wheat is the world’s most widely grown plant.
Facts courtesy of www.did-you-knows.com
