My duties as a local councillor often bring me into contact with elderly people who live on their own. As such, I have been impressed with the difficult life some of these people lead and the absolute need for all the help they can get both from the central government and their local council as well as the members of the community they live in.

Perhaps few of us who live with our families at home fully realise just how difficult life is for some of the elderly around us.

One of the greatest problems that are faced by several of the elderly who live alone at home is that of solitude. Even those elderly individuals who actively participate in social events and activities still have to spend long hours of solitude at home.

Some have been abandoned by their children and other relatives who very rarely visit them, if at all. Some try to partially solve this problem by always having the television or radio switched on. Others have a pet, a cat or a dog.

Still, the long hours of solitude sometimes seem endless.

For many of us, nightfall means the beginning of relaxation and rest. It is quite different for many elderly persons who live alone. Some are terrified whenever somebody knocks at their door after sundown. Living on their own, they are always worried about the possibility of being attacked and robbed.

Unfamiliar sounds are enough to cause distress to such elderly persons. Checking and rechecking that the door is securely bolted is often a common night-time routine for them.

Perhaps the greatest need of such persons is that for affection. Like all of us, they need somebody to love them. Several of these elderly are yearning for the warmth of people who show them that they care for them when, in fact, this affection is what they lack most in their lives.

One of the worst human experiences is that of feeling that nobody cares about you. Feeling absolutely unimportant and forgotten is one of the most demoralising situations that one can find oneself in.

Then, of course, there is the problem of those elderly people who not only live on their own but are also in failing health. Ordinary chores become daily ordeals for such people. Physical weakness makes it difficult for the elderly who live alone to carry out such ‘simple’ tasks as lifting a chair, preparing one’s bed, hanging the laundry to dry, etc. This often results in frustration, a sense of helplessness and also a pervasive feeling of being good for nothing.

I know that I have painted a very bleak picture of the elderly who live alone but, unfortunately, this is the real situation of a good number of them.

What can we do to ameliorate their situation and assist them in their plight?

First of all, I would like to appeal to all those persons who have elderly relations not to abandon them. Yes, I know that today many people find it hard to find time for themselves and their partners, let alone their relations. However, that extra effort to visit such relations living alone can have an enormous positive effect on the life of the latter.

A short visit can be enough to boost the morale of a lonely person. A complimentary remark can make an elderly lonely person happy for days on end.

Local councillors who have the elderly as their responsibility can also play a very important part in bettering the quality of life of the latter. Social and cultural activities are important but I would not be content with that and would suggest home visits for the specific purpose of interacting with the elderly who live alone, the aim being to show them that there is someone who really cares for their welfare.

Such home visits, especially during periods of time when local council elections are still far away, show that people holding public office have the welfare of the elderly at heart.

The central government’s role is also crucial in ameliorating the lot of elderly people who have nobody to support them.

Making sure that excessive bureaucracy does not deprive such individuals of necessary services and support will, no doubt, go a long way towards making sure that this very vulnerable group in society will not be subjected to hardships, which can be avoided.

Elderly people who live on their own sometimes suffer a lot because of the petty approach of certain public officers. We have to ensure that all public officers see it as their duty to make an extra effort to be as cooperative and helpful as possible when faced with the needs of elderly people who live a solitary life and have only themselves to depend upon for their daily needs.

Every human being deserves to live with dignity and respect. It is our duty to ensure that this is always the case.