Research conducted by Calor and Macra na Feirme as part of its Know Your Neighbour campaign has discovered a fear of isolation among members of the Irish community.

Just over one quarter (27%) of people nationwide put down loneliness as their biggest fear about growing old in their community.

Safety and security (22%) and lack of access to health services (21%) also featured prominently.

Rural communities

For people in rural communities, almost a quarter (21%) feared loneliness as part of getting old, although this was less than the number of people in urban areas (33%) who put this down as a concern.

The research demonstrates that whether living in an urban or rural community, we share the same worries and concerns

In fact, lack of medical facilities was a greater concern for people in rural communities, with 27% of respondents choosing this option. In contrast, only 14% of people in cities chose this option.

Other concerns for people in rural areas were lack of access to broadband (21%), followed by lack of opportunity to progress (14%), emigration of younger community members (13%) and the welfare and safety of elderly community members (13%).

The research was conducted through an online survey of 512 adults aged 18 and over across the island of Ireland.

Comment

Commenting on the research at the launch of the Know Your Neighbour winter campaign, Macra Na Feirme president Sean Finan said: “As the evenings grow darker, we are less likely to bump into neighbours out and about and it’s important that we take this into account and make an extra effort with our more vulnerable neighbours.

“The research demonstrates that whether living in an urban or rural community, we share the same worries and concerns, and whether in a city surrounded by people or in a more rural location, people can feel isolated and vulnerable. We are calling on all members of the community to join Macra members in getting to know their neighbours this winter.”

Mindfulness could help to combat rural isolation

It’s OK not to feel OK. And it’s good to talk

Difficulties of working in isolation

Survey finds a quarter of people in rural Ireland fear loneliness

Research conducted by Calor and Macra na Feirme found that almost a quarter of people in rural areas have a fear of isolation, while even more people in rural areas fear a lack of medical facilities.