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Chapter 5 - Needs of Older People Living Alone

A Critical Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 June 2021

Juanita Hoe
Affiliation:
City, University of London
Martin Orrell
Affiliation:
University of Nottingham
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Summary

In a rapidly ageing world, more and more older people live alone.1 Whereas almost one-third of the older adult population in the United States lives alone,2 more than 50% of those over age 75 in the United Kingdom live by themselves.3 Although this phenomenon varies widely throughout the world (mainly observed in developed countries), its social relevance and study have increased in recent decades.4 In general terms, older people who live alone tend to be elderly women, widowed spouses, have a higher level of education and tend to use health services more often than those who live accompanied.1–6 Nevertheless, the amount of information available about this population is still sparse.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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References

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