Elderly people are far more likely to be put into a care home after spending times with their families over Christmas, research has found.
Data held by an online directory of care homes shows a 40 per cent increase in the number of people searching for residential care for the elderly every January.
Experts said the findings suggest that the extra contact with older relatives over the festive season meant families were more likely to realise how infirm they were, or to become overwhelmed by the burden of caring for them.
I hope it will soon become the norm for the old to be part of the mainstream of daily life
Is it something in the air of Halifax? Or is it in the air more generally? I suspect the latter. Millions of television viewers will be there tonight – Halifax that is – watching as Celia marries Alan, both in their seventies. The BBC television series Last Tango in Halifax, is a universal success, enjoyed by old and young alike. And in that sense marks something of a tipping point.
25 November 2013 Last updated at 07:10
Joseph Day, who has been using the service, said that he found losing his wife almost unbearable
A free 24-hour dedicated helpline for older people across the UK has been launched by Esther Rantzen.
‘The Silver Line’ aims to combat loneliness in the over-65s by providing friendship, information and advice through calls to trained volunteers.
Chairwoman Ms Rantzen said she hoped the phone line number, 0800 4 70 80 90, would be remembered by all older people when they needed friendship or advice.
The phone line is funded by a £5m grant from the Big Lottery Fund.
