225K Seniors Don't Talk to Anyone Most Weeks: Survey

A survey found 225,000 British seniors 65 or older speak to no one at all most weeks, and 2.6 million speak to three familiar people a week at most, reports the New York Post . The Age UK charity's poll of 1,896 people determined that respondents felt engaging with neighbors or smiling at strangers at a bus stop would make a significant difference to them. Efforts to combat this loneliness epidemic include the United Kingdom formally appointing a minister for loneliness. "Loneliness is a huge problem because retirement, bereavement, and ill health mean many older people find they are spending a lot less time enjoying the company of others than they'd like," says Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams. The Cadbury chocolatier and Age UK are jointly developing a limited-edition chocolate bar called "Donate Your Words," with part of its proceeds to be donated to Age UK.