Age-old problem

A report by the Anchor charity claiming automated checkout machines put off about a quarter of older people from going shopping highlighted the knock-on effect not only for the elderly customer, but the loss of revenue for the retailer.

But as the report suggested, the effects go much further, exacerbating the issue of loneliness and isolation. Going to the shop for a pint of milk is no longer a social event or the chance tomeetsomeonetosay hello. It can be a very stressful event. Local shopkeepers were once a source of community involvement, keeping an eye out for each other, but no longer as large, impersonal supermarkets take over and in the game of moneysaving, staff are done away with in favour of machines. Even banks are going down the road of touch screen automation, amidst branch closures.

Even my local GP surgery has a touchscreen for patients to check in on arrival, no need for any contact with the friendly receptionist, who in due course will get their hours cut. This report went on to estimate that 1.2 million people in the UK are suffering from chronic loneliness.

So why are we encouraging a route that will only aggravate this situation? We keep going on about equality in society, changing laws to allow inclusiveness – where does our aging population feature in this? CATRIONA C CLARK

Hawthorn Drive Banknock, Falkirk