Hunt: 'Chronically lonely' ignored
A "forgotten million" elderly people are "chronically lonely" as the result of being ignored by society, the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said.
Hunt: Forgotten million 'ignored to our national shame'
The Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt will highlight the "national shame" of as many as 800,000 people in England who are "chronically lonely" in a speech later today.
He will tell the National Children and Adults Services: "Some five million people say television is their main form of company - that's 10% of the population.
"We know there is a broader problem of loneliness that in our busy lives we have utterly failed to confront as a society.
"Each and every lonely person has someone who could visit them and offer companionship.
"A forgotten million who live amongst us - ignored to our national shame."
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Chronic loneliness afflicting elderly 'a national shame'
A 'forgotten million' elderly people suffer from chronic loneliness and social isolation, to 'our national shame', Jeremy Hunt said today.
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How to combat feelings of loneliness
More than a million old people experience chronic loneliness, but there are some simple things that can help defeat these sad feelings.
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'People don't understand how lonely we get'
Winifred Green, 88, lives alone and until recently would go for weeks without speaking to anyone.