Stay a while when you visit the elderly

Sir — The late, great Willie Bermingham, who founded Alone, once said: “The elderly never die from hunger. It’s mostly due to loneliness.”

Next time you visit a senior person, don’t jangle the car keys saying, “Have to dash, promise I’ll drop in again real soon”.

It could be your visit was so much looked forward to, like a child promised to be brought to see Santa.

Old people have so much to tell you, everything told by them was bought the hard way — it’s called living. a little while longer next time, have that cup of tea, it won’t be long before you yourself are looking forward to someone calling. Behind that lonely door lies a wealth of experience. Fred Molloy, Clonsilla, Dublin 15