70% of the older people who have been contacting the Alone help and support line are living on their own, with nearly two-thirds of these callers aged 70 or over.
According to the organisation for older people, Alone has answered more than 12,000 calls since the launch of its national Covid-19 support line in March. The organisation’s volunteers have also made more than 31,184 calls to stay in touch with older people.
Reacting to the data, Alone’s CEO Sean Moynihan has said that the country’s local authorities with whom the organisation is working have also been receiving a significant number of calls in this area.
He said that the next three weeks of restrictions will be very difficult for older people, who have already spent two weeks in their homes.
This, he added, makes the support of our communities and families more important than ever.
He is encouraging older people who are feeling isolated or lonely to get in touch through the helpline 0818 222 024, which is open from 8am to 8pm.
If someone rings Alone, the organisation can arrange to ring an older person several times a week or every day if this support is needed.
Again, that number is 0818 222 024.
For updated and factual Public Health information and advice on COVID-19 Coronavirus, please visit hse.ie/coronavirus or call 1800 700 700
For the latest information on the Covid-19 Vaccine Programme, please visit hse.ie/covid-19-vaccine
