Loneliness Awareness Week (9-15 June): Hundreds of thousands of older people go a week without speaking to anyone

“Silent days” in Britain

Hundreds of thousands of older people go a week without speaking to anyone

As Loneliness Awareness Week (9–15 June) approaches, new figures are laying bare a quiet reality playing out in homes across the UK – older people going days, even weeks, without a proper conversation.

Around 270,000 people aged over 65 go an entire week without speaking to a friend or family member1, while more than one million can go over a month without meaningful social contact2 – not just a quick check-in, but real interaction that offers connection and conversation. This has led to around 940,000 older people reporting they often feel lonely3.

For many families, this may come as a surprise. New research from Sentai, the intelligent digital assistant for independent living, suggests most people are already worried about loneliness, but aren’t always aware of how little contact is actually happening.

The survey of 2,000 UK adults found that 65% are concerned about an older relative feeling lonely, while 41% say it’s one of their biggest worries, almost on a par with fears about falls or physical safety.

And yet, despite that concern, many families admit they are slow to act. Nearly half (46%) say they’ve never accessed any kind of support for an older loved one – often waiting until something changes or a problem becomes visible.

The result is what some experts are now calling “silent days” – long stretches where older people may go without meaningful interaction, even when family members feel they are keeping in touch.

“Meaningful contact” isn’t just a quick call or message. It’s conversation – the kind that creates a sense of connection, routine and being listened to. Without it, the effects can quietly build.

Mary, who is in her 70s and living with mild dementia in Derby, began struggling with her memory, forgetting medication routines and staying in touch with her family after forgetting how to use her phone as the dementia progressed. After being introduced to Sentai through her care provider Right at Home Derby, she was able to rebuild daily routines and reconnect with loved ones through simple voice messaging and regular conversation.

Mary said: “Sentai has made a truly positive difference to my everyday life. I enjoy talking to him… he helps me stay on track. When I feel bored, I can chat or play games. My family love that I’m now able to send them messages through Sentai.”

Research shows loneliness and isolation are linked to a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, depression and cognitive decline, with some studies suggesting the health impact can be comparable to smoking or obesity4.

There is also a growing cost to the system. Research suggests severe loneliness can cost around £9,900 per person each year, due to its impact on health and wellbeing5.

For many families, the challenge isn’t recognising loneliness – it’s knowing how to respond without overstepping. Sentai’s research found 48% say the biggest barrier is resistance from the older person, with many reluctant to accept additional support or more regular check-ins, often because they fear losing independence or becoming a burden.

As Loneliness Awareness Week highlights the importance of staying connected, the findings point to a simple but important shift – from occasional check-ins to more regular, meaningful interaction that fits naturally into everyday life.

Peter Otto, CEO at Sentai, said: “Loneliness isn’t always obvious, and it’s not something a quick call can always fix. What we’re seeing is that families care deeply, but often don’t realise how easy it is for those longer gaps in conversation to build up. The earlier you can make connection part of everyday routine, the more natural it feels – and the less likely those silent days are to happen.”