Check on elderly friends & neighbours

Cheshire East Council and its partners are urging residents to check on elderly friends and neighbours this festive period.

NHS England warned that loneliness and social isolation can increase the risk of emergency hospital admissions, which are expected to rise this weekend.

According to the NHS, a study in South West England showed that 45% of elderly patients admitted to hospital as an emergency said they were socially isolated.

More than half (51%) of all people aged 75 and over live alone, according to the Office for National Statistics, and two fifths of all older people (about 3.9 million) say television is their main form of company.

Research also shows that loneliness and social isolation are harmful to health. It is believed that a lack of social connections creates as much risk of early death as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. In some instances, it is thought to be worse than being obese or physically inactive.

Councillor Janet Clowes, Cabinet member in charge of care and health in the community, said: "It is at times like this, when the nights are drawing in and Christmas gets closer, that we naturally want to be surrounded by families and friends.

"Loneliness is a bigger problem than simply an emotional experience and it can have wider impacts on physical health. "Please, if you have not yet done so, do check in on your friends, neighbours and family if you believe they could be lonely or vulnerable at this time.

A new free helpline for elderly people has been launched by the Silver Line charity, which operates 24/7. The line is staffed every day and night and can be reached by calling 0800 4 70 80 90 or 0300 4 70 80 90 from mobiles.

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