People are being urged to reach out to older members of their communities who may be feeling particularly isolated as a result of the cocooning measures currently in place.

ALONE, the charity that works with older people, is calling on members of the public to reach out by phone or other technology to their older relatives, friends and neighbours.

Cocooning was first introduced in Ireland in late March and was to continue until April 12. However last Friday, the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, announced that these measures would continue until May 5.

"We recognise that the extension of the COVID-19 measures is vital and will no doubt save lives. However, we also know that the next three weeks will be very difficult for older people, and the support of our communities and families will be more important than ever throughout this time.

"We are receiving a huge number of phone calls from older people who are feeling lonely and isolated, having now spent two weeks in their homes. Through our work with the local authorities, we understand that they are also receiving a significant number of calls in this area," noted ALONE CEO, Sean Moynihan.

ALONE has been a key organisation for communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As well as answering more than 12,000 calls since the launch of its national COVID-19 support line in March, its staff and volunteers have also made over 31,000 calls to stay in touch with older people.

Some 70% of older people who called ALONE's support line in the last week are living alone. Almost two-thirds of these callers are aged 70 and over.

With the help of more than 2,500 volunteers, ALONE provides support and befriending services for older people. The organisation also coordinates Befriending Network Ireland, a national support network for befriending services across Ireland.

This weekend, ALONE also launched new online training programmes to train thousands of new volunteers who have signed up in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, ALONE's day-to-day work continues, with staff and volunteers continuing to support thousands of older people, as well as working with local authorities to provide practical support.

According to the organisation, while loneliness is new for some older people, for others, it is an ongoing situation.

"ALONE is determined to ensure every older person is connected into the supports and company they need to live their best life. The organisation can arrange to ring an older person several times a week or every day if this support is needed, and this service will continue after the current crisis," it insisted.

Mr Moyhihan emphasised that loneliness can have a major impact on the health of older people.

"We are asking members of the public to keep in touch with the older people in their lives during what is a very difficult time for many. So far, the level of support we have seen from communities across the country has been phenomenal, and we hope this will continue.

"We are also encouraging any older person who is experiencing loneliness to get in touch with us. Our volunteers are continuing to provide telephone support for older people and are making regular phone calls for reassurance and social support," he added.

ALONE is encouraging older people who need advice or support to call its support line on 0818 222 024, from 8am-8pm, seven days a week. The support line, which is running in collaboration with the Department of Health, the HSE, and local authorities, is available to all older people, including those who have not used ALONE's services previously.

For more information on ALONE, click here. For more information on cocooning, click here. For more information on COVID-19, click here.