More than one in two people with elderly neighbours say they help them out on a regular basis.
From taking bins out and trips to the shops to popping round for a chat and a cup of tea, the research for Engage Mutual reveals a strong sense of community spirit. Fifty six per cent of people surveyed reported that they frequently do little things to help their older neighbours.
helping older neighbours out
At a time when older people can sometimes feel lonely, according to a study by Age UK the Engage Mutual research asked 1,008 UK adults aged between 45-60 what they did to help their older neighbours out.
Top tasks people said they did to help older neighbours included:
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keeping a general eye on them (44 per cent)
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going round for a chat or cup of tea (25 per cent)
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taking their bins out on collection day (13 per cent)
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helping out with the gardening (10 per cent)
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driving them to the shops (8 per cent)
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taking them to medical appointments (8 per cent)
The research also found that people who couldn’t see their own parents very often were more likely to keep an eye out for an elderly neighbour (63 per cent). Those on lower incomes (up to £19k) were also more likely to help out (63 per cent).
keeping in touch with families
A further 74 per cent of those surveyed said they were familiar with their elderly nighbour’s family when they came to visit. Sixteen per cent had even swapped phone numbers with them to keep in touch.
Yorkshire was the region where most people helped their neighbours (65 per cent) with people in the Northwest helping out the least (49 per cent).
Karl Elliott, Marketing Director at Engage Mutual said: “Our research shows that there is a strong sense of community spirit in Britain today that goes beyond looking after one’s own family and friends. Neighbours play an important role in supporting older people, and in helping them to live independently for as long as possible.”
The research was undertaken for engage with you by YouGov between 4-9 April 2012. The survey polled a GB representative sample of 1,008 people aged 45-60 who had elderly parents.
