Isolation blights lives of older people

Older Irish people on both sides of the border experience loneliness and isolation on a daily basis, according to a new all-island study.

The report from NUI Galway finds that while growing old in rural areas can be a positive experience, there are factors which may lead to social exclusion.

The study shows that public provision and related infrastructure is stronger in the North than in the Republic as a result of a higher population density, a more developed welfare state, and a greater emphasis on universal welfare provision.