One in three over 65’s in Ireland live on their own.

Irish charity ALONE says loneliness can be detrimental to older peoples health and is calling on the government for increased investment in services for older people.

Today also marks International Day of Older Persons which aims to celebrate the contributions older people make to society.

Sean Moynihan, CEO of ALONE says its important for people to reach out and ask for support: “ALONE is part of a coalition of organisations looking for more access and equal rights access to home care, while at the same time as an organisation we run a befreinding network up and down the country, because one in three over 65’s live on their own and can become very easily isolated and lonely and cut off from their community.”