Drive to help 2.65 million lonely old folk

MILLIONS of pensioners feel they have no-one to turn to for help and support, a charity has warned.

Age UK estimates that 2.65 million people over the age of 65 face their problems alone.

When asked: ‘Do you ever feel like you have no-one to go to for help or support?’, 23 per cent of over 65s answered ‘always, often or sometimes’, according to a poll of more than 1,000 British adults aged 50 and over.

Using population estimates, the charity has calculated that millions have no-one to turn to.

Actress Dame Judi Dench said the figures were ‘heartbreaking.’ Among those who felt they had no-one to turn to, almost a quarter (24 per cent) said this left them feeling lonely, 22pc said they felt isolated and one in five said it made them depressed.”

The charity released the findings to mark its new campaign to encourage people to support their services for the elderly, such as its Age UK Advice Line. It said that last year, it helped 210,000 callers deal with issues including bereavement, tackling loneliness, getting social care support and managing health problems like dementia.

Backing the new campaign, Dame Judi said: “We all know that ageing is inevitable, but it’s heart-breaking to think of older people who feel they have no-one they can turn to.

“Age UK is working hard to change this, and by supporting their campaign you can help them to be there for older people who might have no-one else.”