'Silent Night' - Over half of callers to SeniorLine are dreading Christmas

SeniorLine is Ireland's national telephone service for older people. It receives over 28,000 annual callers phone calls from people who feel lonely or solitary and benefit from conversation, company, comfort and clarity with specific problems.

SeniorLine has 100 older volunteers trained to respond empathetically to all callers while giving time and space to regular callers who appreciate having someone to talk to.

Since mid-November, the service has been canvassing callers about their attitude towards Christmas.

Many callers live alone, and some look forward to seeing close and extended family.

"I don't know what to get the grandchildren any more, so I have been out buying gift tokens for them", said Marie, who lives in the Midlands and was widowed ten years ago.

Teresa was enthusiastic and said: "It will be lovely to be with my sons and their families. I collect the grandchildren from school every day. They will be very excited, and I will be part of it. Looking around the family at the dinner table is a good feeling."

However, other callers are not so positive. John says most local services he depends on are closed, including Meals on Wheels. The service will deliver meals in advance this year, but it would mean a lot to see them over the Christmas weekend.

Another caller said: "I hate Christmas. It goes on forever now, with the television ads and all the happy stuff. You get the impression that everyone is having a marvellous time except you, and even though that's not true, it's depressing".

Joe says he is 'wheeled out' for the day and says: "They put me in a corner; I don't hear very well, so I feel very out of it. That might sound ungrateful, but sometimes I feel I'd be better off at home", he says. In contrast, a few callers with no family booked into a hotel, so they are not alone on December 25.

Carol, one of eight volunteers working on Christmas Day, said: "I did it last year also, and there is a lightness on the line during the day. I didn't get as many calls as I expected. 6One caller was going to her son, did not get on with her daughter-in-law and was dreading the day. She asked if I thought this was normal, and I told her it was probably all too common. Other callers were staying at home, they had food but no company. I will be on duty in the morning, and I feel it is great to be able to do it."

For more information, contact Anne Dempsey at 087-7450721 or email [email protected].