Older people living in neighbourhoods with greater housing density report lower levels of loneliness, according to research.CPSA recently made a submission to the NSW Legislative Council’s inquiry into the prevalence, causes and impacts of loneliness in NSW. In our submission, CPSA highlighted research from 2022 that linked greater housing density with lower rates of loneliness among older Australians. The research, which was conducted by University of Queensland academics Jack Lam and Siqin Wang, found that “older adults living in compact neighbourhoods with higher population and housing density, smaller land parcels, and more access to green space reported lower levels of loneliness”.
More than just a social issue
Much of the public discussion about loneliness focuses on the importance of social activities and interpersonal connections as things that can stave off loneliness. Methods such as volunteering, joining a club and getting to know your neighbours are frequently suggested to avoid feeling lonely. While these are no doubt valuable, considering the design of our neighbourhoods could give local and state governments another way to prevent loneliness.
Research from Europe has found that long travel distances, environmental barriers (such as unsafe road conditions) and poor public transport can worsen feelings of loneliness for many older people. Unfortunately, these features are often found in rural and regional communities in Australia, as well as in some outer metropolitan communities. This means that many people could be having more severe experiences of loneliness because of the features of the places they live.
Loneliness is not the same as social isolation
The NSW Government inquiry held its first hearing in November. During the hearing, Dr. Michelle Lim, CEO of Ending Loneliness Together, explained the difference between loneliness and social isolation. She told the inquiry that social isolation is defined by having few or no social connections in one’s life.
On the other hand that someone might feel a prolonged sense of loneliness even while having many social connections or even while being in a marriage or other family dynamic. This is because loneliness is defined not by being alone, but by not having the sorts of social and emotional connections that a person wants.
As Dr. Lim told the inquiry, both loneliness and social isolation can affect someone’s quality of life, mental health and physical health. Having the combined impact of both can further increase these negative effects. This is why it is so important for governments to do everything they can to make it easier for people to form fulfilling social connections and to maintain these connections.
CPSA’s submission
In our submission to the inquiry, CPSA highlighted several areas where we believe that governments should do more to combat loneliness, especially amongst older people.
CPSA noted that, as a car-dependent state, New South Wales often has insufficient affordable and accessible transport options for people who cannot or choose not to drive. We argued that governments at all levels – local, state and national – must do more to strengthen the public transport network, especially for people living in rural and regional areas. In particular, the community transport network needs to be given far greater support so that people in every community are able to meet their transport needs.
CPSA also argued that more must be done to provide cost of living support for people on low incomes. Many of CPSA’s constituents have told us that they have had to cut down on social expenditures and entertainment in order to pay for bills, groceries, medical costs and transportation. It is essential that people are able to afford to live while also being able to participate and engage in their communities. In particular, local and state governments should ensure that publicly owned and managed venues like galleries, museums and community centres, should provide affordable concession tickets for events and exhibitions to allow everyone to enjoy them, not just those who can afford to pay more.
Research from the University of Queensland shows that if people are able to maintain a strong sense of independence throughout their lives, they are less susceptible to social isolation and feelings of loneliness. So that people can stay independent for longer, CPSA highlighted in its submission that access to all essential services must be available for people who don’t use a computer or a smartphone.
Finally, CPSA pointed out the importance of well-designed neighbourhoods that allow people to access essential services and social activities without relying on private car travel, and that provide free and accessible public spaces that can facilitate social interactions and connections.
Loneliness is a complicated issue that can affect people at any stage of their life. It is essential that governments do more than just tinker at the edges to solve it.
CPSA recently made a submission to the NSW Legislative Council’s inquiry into the prevalence, causes and impacts of loneliness in NSW. In our submission, CPSA highlighted research from 2022 that linked greater housing density with lower rates of loneliness among older Australians. The research, which was conducted by University of Queensland academics Jack Lam and Siqin Wang, found that “older adults living in compact neighbourhoods with higher population and housing density, smaller land parcels, and more access to green space reported lower levels of loneliness”.
More than just a social issue
Much of the public discussion about loneliness focuses on the importance of social activities and interpersonal connections as things that can stave off loneliness. Methods such as volunteering, joining a club and getting to know your neighbours are frequently suggested to avoid feeling lonely. While these are no doubt valuable, considering the design of our neighbourhoods could give local and state governments another way to prevent loneliness.
Research from Europe has found that long travel distances, environmental barriers (such as unsafe road conditions) and poor public transport can worsen feelings of loneliness for many older people. Unfortunately, these features are often found in rural and regional communities in Australia, as well as in some outer metropolitan communities. This means that many people could be having more severe experiences of loneliness because of the features of the places they live.
Loneliness is not the same as social isolation
The NSW Government inquiry held its first hearing in November. During the hearing, Dr. Michelle Lim, CEO of Ending Loneliness Together, explained the difference between loneliness and social isolation. She told the inquiry that social isolation is defined by having few or no social connections in one’s life.
On the other hand that someone might feel a prolonged sense of loneliness even while having many social connections or even while being in a marriage or other family dynamic. This is because loneliness is defined not by being alone, but by not having the sorts of social and emotional connections that a person wants.
As Dr. Lim told the inquiry, both loneliness and social isolation can affect someone’s quality of life, mental health and physical health. Having the combined impact of both can further increase these negative effects. This is why it is so important for governments to do everything they can to make it easier for people to form fulfilling social connections and to maintain these connections.
CPSA’s submission
In our submission to the inquiry, CPSA highlighted several areas where we believe that governments should do more to combat loneliness, especially amongst older people.
CPSA noted that, as a car-dependent state, New South Wales often has insufficient affordable and accessible transport options for people who cannot or choose not to drive. We argued that governments at all levels – local, state and national – must do more to strengthen the public transport network, especially for people living in rural and regional areas. In particular, the community transport network needs to be given far greater support so that people in every community are able to meet their transport needs.
CPSA also argued that more must be done to provide cost of living support for people on low incomes. Many of CPSA’s constituents have told us that they have had to cut down on social expenditures and entertainment in order to pay for bills, groceries, medical costs and transportation. It is essential that people are able to afford to live while also being able to participate and engage in their communities. In particular, local and state governments should ensure that publicly owned and managed venues like galleries, museums and community centres, should provide affordable concession tickets for events and exhibitions to allow everyone to enjoy them, not just those who can afford to pay more.
Research from the University of Queensland shows that if people are able to maintain a strong sense of independence throughout their lives, they are less susceptible to social isolation and feelings of loneliness. So that people can stay independent for longer, CPSA highlighted in its submission that access to all essential services must be available for people who don’t use a computer or a smartphone.
Finally, CPSA pointed out the importance of well-designed neighbourhoods that allow people to access essential services and social activities without relying on private car travel, and that provide free and accessible public spaces that can facilitate social interactions and connections.
Loneliness is a complicated issue that can affect people at any stage of their life. It is essential that governments do more than just tinker at the edges to solve it.