NEARLY a million older people feel lonelier at Christmas than any other time of the year.

Although Christmas is, for many, a joyous occasion, the heart-breaking reality is that each day is much like the last for those with crushing loneliness. Sadly Christmas is no exception.

Spending the Christmas break by ourselves isn’t just incredibly sad; it is likely to have a detrimental impact on our health. Loneliness can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes per day and also contributes to the development of heart problems, strokes, mental health issues and dementia.

Sadly we are more likely than ever to spend Christmas alone as we age; things inevitably change in our lives, family move away, our network of friends diminishes and we may develop long-term health conditions which make it more difficult to leave our home to join others at Christmas.

No-one teaches us about loneliness and we are often blissfully unaware of it until it actually happens to us.

However, this Christmas there is something we can all do to make a positive difference to the older people around us who may be suffering from chronic loneliness.

Sending a Christmas card, visiting our neighbours over the festive period to share a mince pie, or even delivering a Christmas dinner on the big day itself can do more good than most of us would ever guess, and at very little cost to ourselves. In fact, I guarantee you'll feel better too as a result.

If you would like to discuss your options of either giving or receiving support this Christmas, please call us on 030 300 30003.

Pam Lewis

Deputy Chief Executive, Age UK South Lakeland