Older women feel much healthier and happier living alone and enjoy their status as senior singletons, a recent study indicated.

Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the survey looked into the impact of living alone, with a spouse or with friends on the health and happiness of elderly people.

Professor Emily Grundy from the Centre for Population studies at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who carried out the study, explained that differences were noted across different regions, such as a general high level of happiness in Scandinavia.

She noted that older women who are in a relationship may have a responsibility to look after ailing spouses, which could affect their self-rated health.

Professor Grundy concluded: "These findings have important policy implications for whether long-term care services for older people living alone should be prioritised, or if services should be directed at unpaid family carers."

The ESRC is one of the UK's leading research agencies that addresses economic and social concerns.