Bradford MP Highlights Plight of Lonely Elderly
Thousands of pensioners in Bradford could be suffering physical and mental health problems as a result of being lonely a local MP has warned. 
Today Bradford MP, David Ward, highlighted loneliness as a major health and care issue to be taken seriously by government and local organisations alike.
David also welcomed the news that the Coalition government will be working with the care and support sector to develop measures of loneliness to help identify people at risk of social isolation. This will help older people in Bradford to receive the help and support they need to re-connect to their communities.
According to national and international research - an average of 10 per cent of the over 65s say they are lonely or very lonely. In Bradford this means there are around 8000 lonely pensioners who could be experiencing serious long-term effects on their health as a result.
Commenting, David said:
"It is shameful how many of our elderly people live alone, without any day to day contact with friends, relatives or loved ones. If we don't start to champion loneliness as a health and care issue, elderly people in Bradford will continue to have their lives tragically cut short.
"As part of my investigation into social care in Bradford I will be finding out about the extent of loneliness among Bradford's older people and highlighting the importance of this issue both in Bradford and in Coalition Government.
"We have a moral duty to reach out to older people who are living in isolation in our community and ensure that they get the social contact they need to stay physically and mentally well."