It's a lonely life for some of Britain's golden oldies, according to a new survey and we could all be there one day like it or not, so read on.
A fifth of people over the age of 60 spend in excess of 100 hours a week - that's four whole days - completely alone and isolated from the outside world. Most of us read the awful story of that poor lady who lay dead in her house for weeks because there was no letter box on her door, and no one, not even her family had bothered to see if she was OK.
So can you imagine the fear in some older people that it could happen to them? Many are terrified that during this time they might have an accident, fall ill or even die without anyone knowing.
A third of elderly people do not even know their neighbours, whilst one in five say their family members live hundreds of miles away.
And of those people who are lucky enough to have family nearby, half do not receive regular visits or phone calls.
The poll of 2,000 people, conducted by Alertacall, revealed that two thirds of people admit they should call their elderly relatives more, but find hard juggling the responsibility with looking after their own families. Only 23 per cent could say that they called their elderly relatives everyday to check they were okay. But for those people who want some of the worry lifted from their shoulders, there is an answer.
Alertacall is a new telephone system aimed at the elderly who lead independent lives but live alone.
James Batchelor; inventor of the new service, pictured here with the inspiration, his mother Evelyn Smith said at the launch:
"Some 3.5 million people live alone, but more frighteningly 32 people die alone and unnoticed in their home every day. The Alertacall service requires the elderly person to press a button everyday to signify they are okay. If the button doesn't get pressed, a member of the Alertacall team calls that person to check they are okay. And if there is still no response Alertacall will then phone up to three nominated friends to alert them."
Anyone who would like more information should contact Alertacall on 0808 156 5777 or visit www.alertacall.com