Loneliness the 'main problem facing elderly'

The Senior Helpline has said loneliness is the main problem facing the majority of elderly people who contact its services.

The organisation says almost two-thirds of the 800 calls it receives each month are from people who are lonely.

Around 12% of calls relate to health concerns and more than half are made by men.

The Senior Helpline is celebrating its 10th anniversary this week by holding its first-ever conference in Galway.