'Contact is the most important thing': Cork elderly advocate urges people to check in on elderly this winter

Advocate of the elderly in Cork Paddy O’Brien has emphasised that a simple action such as a knock on the door can save a life this winter.

Mr O’Brien, who has worked with the elderly in Cork for years, said that loneliness is causing very serious problems for elderly people, particularly those who live alone.

It comes following the publication of Alone's annual report for 2023 which revealed that the charity supported more than 38,000 people to age at home.

In 2023, Alone supported in excess of 38,482 older people across Ireland and there were 26,413 calls to the National Support and Referral Line (NSLR) from older people.

Loneliness was the main theme of calls made to the NSRL, with about one-third of individuals experiencing loneliness citing that they did not have someone visit them. 9% reported not having been out socially in over a year.

Mr O’Brien described these findings as “appalling” and said it is a disgraceful situation that elderly people are reduced to having to ring an office and tell an operator how lonely they are.

Speaking about the effects of loneliness on elderly people, Mr O’Brien described it as “the single greatest issue facing our aging population”.

“It is so sad to hear stories from elderly people about how lonely they are. 

“I am saddened and disappointed that even in the built-up areas of Cork, where there would be a very high concentration of elderly people, there are people who are very lonely.

“I have spoken to people who have never spoken to their next door neighbour. 

“In some cases, people do not even know who they are living directly next door to in terraces throughout the city.

“That has not always been the way. Many years ago, the situation was totally different. 

“The elderly would visit each others’ homes and enjoy a chat and have a cup of tea. 

“Contact is the most important thing of all to combat loneliness.” 

Mr O’Brien said the real victims of loneliness are those who live alone and raised concerns about cases where an elderly person living alone passes away in the home and may not be found for some time.

“This had happened to people who were living in built-up areas and is a sincere worry for many of our elderly people,” he said.

Mr O’Brien suggested that a visiting committee be set up in every parish whereby volunteers would visit an elderly person once a week, for example, and encouraged people to make an effort this winter to check in on elderly people in their locality.

“A knock on the door can save a life,” he said.