The co-ordinator of a national helpline for older people has asked members of the public to be vigilant about checking in with housebound or elderly neighbours during the dark and often bleak month of January.
Mary Nally, chief executive of the Senior Helpline, a confidential listening service for older people by older people, said the dawning of a new year could be a time of hidden loneliness and heartache for many older people.
She said there were many reasons why older people may be isolated. They may be living in rural Ireland some distance from neighbours and illness or disability often means they are confined indoors.
"While loneliness can and does occur at any age, older people can be particularly susceptible to loneliness because a spouse or relative has died or over the years they may have seen family and friends pass away," Ms Nally said. "The memory of these losses can be triggered at Christmas and in the new year.
"In terms of giving, one of the most precious things we can give is our time. We would ask people all over Ireland to remember older people. Think of a neighbour, a friend, think of an older relative and find out if they would like some company or contact."
Often callers to the helpline in January express upset at a family row which occurred at Christmas and which they fear could lead to long-term resentments between parents and children, she noted.
Many callers, particularly those who have lost a loved one, also find it difficult to face in to a new year knowing their beloved spouse or close friend is never coming back.
Ms Nally said it was important for people to reach out to elderly or housebound neighbours who may feel isolated as the dark and inclement nights set in.
The Senior Helpline is a peer- to-peer service - the trained volunteers who take the calls are older people aged between 60 and 92. The service received more than 8,000 calls in 2006 - a 25 per cent increase on the previous year. Calls for 2007 have yet to be tabulated but the number is expected to be substantially higher than in 2006, with this Christmas being a particularly busy period for the helpline.
Almost 70 per cent of callers are between 50 and 75. Calls are also received from people concerned about older relatives and friends. "Our lines are open seven days a week, 365 days a year and callers to the helpline are guaranteed to hear the voice of another older person at the end of the line," Ms Nally said.
The helpline number is 1850-440444. Calls are charged at the same rate as local calls.