Age Action is urging the public to take time out this Christmas to visit an older neighbour or friend and ensure they remain safe and well during the holiday period.
“Christmas can be a very difficult time for older people, especially those who live alone, with loneliness being one of the greatest problems,” Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins said: “There was a tremendous national response last Christmas during the severe winter weather, with thousands of people coming to the assistance of their older neighbours. We are asking the public to help again in the coming days to address another crisis – loneliness.”
More than 61 per cent of older people questioned as part of recently published research by the Dublin Institute of Technology and Institute of Public Health admitted to being lonely. Loneliness was also cited as being the greatest problem for older people living alone, according to the Society of St Vincent de Paul’s Report of the Commission on Older People, published earlier this year.
Christmas is also a particularly challenging time for older people who depend on home helps, as many home helps take a few days’ holidays at this time. “An offer to buy a loaf of bread, a pint of milk or a bale of briquettes would be greatly appreciated by many older people,” Mr Timmins said.
It only takes a few minutes to call to an older neighbour, but that small effort can make a huge difference to the quality of life of the older person you visit. Age Action is urging the public to think of their older neighbours in other ways also, for example by offering a lift to a local community event over the Christmas, and including older neighbours if you are organising a social event.
