Up to 290,000 people aged 65 and over may have experienced the death of a partner since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a shocking 17% increase on the average for the past five years.
That’s according to new analysis by Independent Age, the national older people’s charity, which is calling on the government to provide more support for bereaved people during and beyond the coronavirus crisis.
The charity estimates that, of these 290,000, over 20,000 people are likely to go on to develop complicated grief: a prolonged period of acute grief which occurs when the ‘normal’ grieving process is interrupted.
Developing complicated grief is more likely when someone is unable to grieve on their own terms, for example, by being isolated from family and friends, being unable to say goodbye face to face or hold a funeral. Sadly, these barriers will be faced by the majority of those losing a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grief can affect both physical and mental health, with an increased risk for people as they age, including a greater likelihood of developing depression or having a weakened immune system. These problems can often be avoided, or the affects reduced, with early intervention.
Gillian from Essex, who has regular contact with an Independent Age volunteer, lost her husband, John, last June after over 50 years of marriage. She says:
“COVID-19 has made grieving for John so much harder. I was the only attendee at his funeral as I didn’t want older relatives to risk catching the virus. Restrictions made it hard to sort out the death certificate, and the entire process took longer than it should have as I couldn’t see our GP in person.
“Life has been tough since John died; he left a massive hole in my life that cannot be replaced. Before I spoke to Independent Age, nobody told me about bereavement support services which could have helped as I found the whole period incredibly distressing.
“It’s important to let people in when you lose a partner as it’s easy to isolate yourself. That’s why I am moving to a larger town to be near more people.”
“COVID-19 has made grieving for John so much harder. I was the only attendee at his funeral as I didn’t want older relatives to risk catching the virus. Restrictions made it hard to sort out the death certificate, and the entire process took longer than it should have as I couldn’t see our GP in person.
Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Independent Age, commented:
“We estimated 98,000 people over 65 lost a partner in the first lockdown alone, but this shocking latest figure shows the devastating impact COVID-19 continues to have, including upon people’s ability to grieve. The death of a partner can be devastating at any time of life and the COVID-19 pandemic has added extra challenges to grieving, potentially causing lasting damage to people’s physical and mental health.
“We know that bereavement in later life can result in loneliness and an increased likelihood of depression. The pandemic has isolated people and creates barriers to the grieving process. There was a lack of funding for bereavement services prior to the pandemic but that cannot carry on. It is now absolutely essential that the Government takes action and prioritises funding for bereavement services to match the increase in need caused by coronavirus and the restrictions on daily life.
"The postcode lottery of commissioning of bereavement services also cannot continue; everyone must have access to support after losing a friend or family member regardless of where they live.”
"The death of a partner can be devastating at any time of life and the COVID-19 pandemic has added extra challenges to grieving, potentially causing lasting damage to people’s physical and mental health.
Independent Age’s recommendations to the government include:
- The Government should implement a bereavement strategy to improve the experience of older people when they lose a friend or family member.
- The Government must make bereavement support a priority area in terms of government expenditure. The government should commit to funding for CCGs to support bereavement providers in their local area.
- CCGs, as experts in their local areas, with support from Local Authorities, should take the lead on mapping the landscape of bereavement services in their area in order to address gaps and inequalities of access.
- ENDS -
Notes to editor:
Methodology:
- We calculated the number of 65+ deaths that has occurred since the period when lockdown began using ONS weekly death figures and compared these to previous years. Figures are only available in weekly statements and so it is not possible to calculate the number of deaths from the exact date lockdown began (23rd March). We therefore have taken the figures from the nearest timepoint – 21st March.
Independent Age Research
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