This article is from page 24 of the 2006-07-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 24 JPG
THE top cause of loneliness among the 16,500 seniors living in Clare is a lack of money, a recent nationwide survey has found.
The survey conducted by financial consultants, Seniors Money found that a large portion (33 per cent) of those over 55 years surveyed feared that a lack of money when they retired would lead to a lonely life.
Geraldine Clare, CEO of Aware, a voluntary organisation assisting those affected by depression told The Clare People that “although there are certainly socio-economic factors to consider in retirement, money doesn’t necessarily improve isolation and loneliness. There are a number of other factors which cause isolation and loneliness in later life such as the passing of loved ones and peers.”
The survey also found that almost two thirds of Irish people worry that they will experience loneliness when they retire as a result of not having enough interests. Many fear that they have put so much time and energy into work that they have neglected other aspects of their life such as friends, hobbies and sports, while 53 per cent also felt that poor health contributed to loneliness.
This, according to Ms Clare, does not necessarily have to be the case. She said that, “although depression can be perceived as part and parcel of growing old and elderly people can become more debilitated making them more predisposed to depression, this is very treatable. There are also many activities and facilities now available for the elderly.”