Loneliness among older people, especially in urban areas, has increased with increasing longevity. This Communication presents the results of a workshop on loneliness from the perspective of older people. 72 people aged 60 and over living in the city of Almada (Portugal) took part in the workshop. The participants were mainly female (84.7%). The vast majority of participants said they didn't feel lonely, but they tended to associate it with something negative, such as sadness, melancholy, unhappiness, pain, emptiness, living alone. When they feel lonely, they try to occupy themselves with recreational activities (such as reading, listening to music, but also praying and crying). As a solution to loneliness, they suggest: promoting the participation of older people, intergenerational socialising and growing old at home with holistic care.

Authors:
Stella Bettencourt da Camara, University of Lisbon, Portugal

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Stella Bettencourt da Câmara is currently Assistant Professor of Demography and Social Gerontology at the Scholl of Social and Political Sciences - University of Lisbon (ISCSP/UNIVERSITY of LISBON).

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