Charity fights isolation of elderly

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Thousands of lonely pensioners have gone a full month without speaking to family or neighbours in the past year, says research published today. The bleak picture of isolation for many older people comes in a study by charity Help the Aged. Pensioner groups in Norfolk said many feel physically and mentally vulnerable because they are cut off. However, there was a glimmer of good news as Norfolk County Council launched an initiative to offer escorted shopping trips which should help more people get out and about. Launching Help the Aged's “one is the saddest number” campaign, Anna Pearson, policy manager for social inclusion, said: “For many younger people, the thought of being old and lonely is their ultimate fear, yet for thousands of older people in the UK today, it is their harsh reality. “There is no substitute for human warmth and contact and our aim with this campaign is to ensure older people no longer feel abandoned by society.” Research conducted by the charity found that nationally, 29pc of pensioners have to rely on family and friends to get out and about, but 200,000 of them are trapped in their homes as they receive no help on a regular basis. Help the Aged said 730,000 elderly people are unable to leave their homes more than once a week. The charity estimated that in 50 years, 7.5 million pensioners could be living alone - the equivalent of more than a third of the elderly population.

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