ALONE speak out against loneliness in older people
The organisation has described it as a health issue.
"Loneliness is a health issue, it's as damaging as smoking 15 cigarettes a day" that's according to Alone which released the study to mark Friendship Week earlier this year.
In Ireland, almost one in three older people live on their own and up to nine per cent of older people suffer from chronic loneliness.
In recent years, a wide range of studies have shown that isolation and loneliness affect the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of an individual and loneliness is proven to kill as many people each year as cancer.
Speaking on the Neil Prendeville Show May Quaid from Active Retirement Ireland says loneliness should be treated as a serious health risk as it puts you at higher risk of dementia and cardiovascular disease.
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