Feeling lonely

RESEARCH in the UK has found that loneliness can be associated with poor mental health and serious conditions including dementia, cardiovascular disease and hypertension. It is now classed as a public health issue that can link to early death in many individuals and due to the ageing population continuing to grow; loneliness is expected to become an even bigger problem amongst the elderly.  Befriending services have been set up in communities to help tackle the problem, with volunteers offering their time to build friendships with others.