They don't speak to their families, they don't communicate with neighbours, they are just trapped in their homes, this is the bleak picture of life of hundreds of thousands of elderly people in Britain.

   A recent study conducted by 'Help the Aged' found that almost half of the pensioners feel ''lonely'' and the situation is worse for elderly women.

   Almost one in three pensioners has to rely on family and friends to get out and about, but many end up stuck at home, the study added.

   ''For many younger people, the thought of being old and lonely is their ultimate fear for the future, yet for thousands of older people in the UK today, it is their harsh reality,'' the Daily Telegraph quoted policy manager for social inclusion at Help the Aged Anna Pearson as saying.

   The study found that older people are three times more likely than any other adults to live alone and the feelings of loneliness are acute over the festive season.

   More than a quarter of people aged between 65-74 and nearly half of those aged 75 or more, live alone as against just 12 per cent of those aged between 25-46, the study noted.

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