CUTS to sheltered housing budgets are contributing to a generation of lonely older people, union leaders have said.

UNISON Scotland said funding reductions were also counterproductive because of the serious impact they had on the health of older people who would need more hospital care as a result.

The survey also raised concerns over giving medication without sufficient training, being vulnerable due to working alone and about supporting the complex needs of some tenants.

Read more: Scale of loneliness in Glasgow elderly population revealed

The warnings come after the publication of UNISON Scotland’s report Giving Shelter which asked housing wardens across the country about the impact of cuts.

More than 60 per cent of those surveyed about sheltered housing said jobs had been axed with 1 in 4 saying the reductions had been “considerable” and that they were worried about their tenants.

Ninety per cent worried about future cuts with one example the scrapping of budgets for sheltered housing in Glasgow compared to funding of £5.6m in 2013/14.

Analysis: 'Heartbeaking to think 100,000 Scots feel lonely

The report said the impact of the cuts meant that elderly tenants were forced to rely on electronic buttons and alarms to call for help rather than getting face to face support by wardens and support staff.

That meant they got less social interaction, less support and fewer organised events which in turn could contribute to more complex health problems, more ill-health and more hospital admissions.

The report echoes findings last year from medics at York University which found that loneliness makes people more likely to suffer from heart disease and stroke.

Read more: Depression in elderly 'one of greatest health challenges'

American researchers found that lonely people are nearly twice as likely to die early as those whose social supports are strong.

According to recent figures from charity Age Scotland, 40,000 older people in Scotland spent Christmas alone and 100,000 are routinely isolated or lonely.

Dave Watson, head of public affairs for UNISON, said: “We are only starting to learn of the detrimental effect loneliness has on our health and well-being.

“However, we do know that services like sheltered housing save us money in the long term by supporting older people and keeping them active.

“Supporting independent living makes financial sense for all of us and it is therefore harrowing to read what our members say in this report.”

UNISON has called on that all those currently taking decisions about public spending to reflect on the findings of the report on the impact of austerity budgets on the poor.

Mr Watson added: “We want those making decisions specifically about spending on sheltered housing to listen to the voices of staff in the trade unions working on the ground.

“Please listen to what our members say about their fears for the health and wellbeing of tenants because there is a human and financial cost that is unquantifiable if we offer poor quality services like sheltered housing.”

Analysis: 'Heartbreaking to think 100,000 Scots feel lonely

The UNISON findings came from a survey of housing wardens, sheltered housing officers and care support workers across Scotland.

The report said: “Members are concerned they are not getting to spend enough time with tenants with resulting consequences for the wellbeing, health and safety of the elderly, often frail, people living in sheltered housing.

“Too much paperwork and computer work in comparison with time spent with tenants.

“Members also highlighted worries around giving medication without sufficient training, about being vulnerable due to lone working and about supporting the complex needs of some tenants.”

One member of staff from a housing association said: “I think that the real value of sheltered housing is often not recognised.

“Our service is making a real difference to people’s lives and helping prevent hospital admissions or a need for long term residential home care.

“Our outcomes can’t always be measured. It can be around a sense of safety, security and the knowledge that someone can visit to resolve a minor or sometimes, a very major issue.”