COMPANIONSHIP is key to a healthy life but more needs to be done to reduce loneliness amongst the elderly in Oldham, according to research carried out by an in-home care provider.

Home Instead Senior Care surveyed more than 2,000 over 65s with nine out of 10 stating that regular companionship would help them to stay mentally and physically healthy for longer.

Despite this, it was revealed that many older people in Oldham felt lonely with over a quarter of over 65s saying they spent eight hours alone daily and almost half (49 per cent) of over 85s facing at least ten hours a day alone.

Now, the home care company is urging the public to take action to help older people in the community feel less lonely.

Mick Sheehan, owner of Home Instead Senior Care said: “It is clear that people want to live in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible. Loneliness can have a serious implication on a person’s health and many people we support simply want company and a conversation.”

The survey also revealed that that 82 per cent of older people in the local area want to live at home so as to not lose their independence and 67 per cent also feel safe in the comfort of their own home.

Mick continued: “It comes as no surprise to us to find that most people want to live at home for as long as possible. For most of us, our home is our sanctuary throughout our lives. When we get older, we’ve raised our families and earned our rest, we should get to enjoy the comfort of our own space.

“This is why our person-centred care model works so well because our caregivers can provide companionship and support as well as encouraging older people to engage and be part of the community.”