Elderly and alone

SIR – Research claiming that the “Facebook generation” is lonelier than the elderly (report, March 3) flies in the face of our experience. Our charity gets more than 10,000 calls a week from lonely and isolated older people, many of whom have no one to talk to.

While loneliness cuts across all ages and backgrounds, we have found that failing health, immobility and lack of social contact are combining to leave older people trapped at home.

Members of this “stiff upper lip generation” are often reluctant to admit to their loneliness, and increasing numbers of those who call us are showing signs of poor emotional and mental health. As most have little or no digital presence, the true depth of their isolation won’t be picked up by online surveys.