IRELAND: Check On Older People This Christmas, Says NGO

BELFAST, Ireland (Belfast Telegraph), December 22, 2007: Neighbours of elderly people are being reminded to check on them, and their older relatives over Christmas. Over a hundred and thirty thousand older members of society live alone in Ireland. Many face spending the festive season lonely and isolated without carers or social services. Dermot Kirwan from Friends of the Elderly has said thoughtful neighbours are often the only lifeline for some older people saying "it's so important to think of the elderly particularly at this time of year". © Independent News & Media (NI)