Charity seeing more elderly people 'reaching out to us in deep loneliness'

Friends of the Elderly said that while Christmas should be a time of warmth and connection, thousands of older people will be experiencing the opposite of that this year, including silence, emptiness and long days without a single friendly conversation. File photo

The public is being urged to support older people this Christmas, as a charity said it is seeing more clients than ever before “reaching out to us in deep loneliness”.

In launching its Christmas appeal, Friends of the Elderly said there has been a significant rise in demand for companionship services, home visits and practical supports as it appealed for action.