Out of sight, out of mind – social exclusion behind closed doors

Publisher: Age Concern

Summary: Over a million older people, including one in five people over 80, are shut out from society and ignored by government policy, according to this report.

The report shows that severe exclusion is about more than money, crossing the boundaries of social class, race, gender and financial status. New research for the charity also reveals that the risk of exclusion increases with age – leaving many older people without access to things that most people take for granted, such as a decent home, close friends and regular company, stimulating activity and access to local services.

The report recommends more investment into the kind of befriending schemes and peer-to-peer telephone clubs already provided by many local Age Concerns to provide much-needed support for many isolated older people.

Link to document: http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Society/documents/2008/02/15/outofsight.pdf