In this heartbreaking video from Channel Four News, an elderly man and woman describe their feelings of loneliness and isolation.

It’s part of the UK Campaign to End Loneliness which seeks to ensure that loneliness is acted upon as a public health priority at national and local levels.

Over a million older people in the UK say that they are lonely.

In Ireland, loneliness among the elderly is also a major problem, one that the charity ALONE works tirelessly to combat it.

From their website:

- Loneliness can decrease life expectancy by 10 years

- Loneliness is as dangerous as smoking 10 cigarettes a day

- Social isolation increases the risk of developing dementia

- People age 65+ who are living alone are significantly more likely than others to experience loneliness

- 1 in 3 older people live on their own

- 7 - 9 % suffer from chronic loneliness

ALONE run a Befriending volunteer service that sets up volunteers to provide companionship by visiting one hour a week.

You can find out more about the service on their website here

H/T: BreakingNews