Old and young make great companions!

Older age can bring great happiness and fulfillment for millions of people and many enjoy their retirement doing all the things they never had time for in their former lives. However, this isn't true for all older people many of whom lead lives characterised by poor health, and lack of money and support.

The worst thing for hundreds of thousands of older people, though is loneliness. 700,000 people who are over 65 confess that they are lonely most of the time. Indeed, 600,000 people go out once a week or less and 500,000 spend Christmas Day alone. Distressing stories abound of broken relationship, bereavement, increasing immobility and cognitive decline. It's the silent social epidemic.

We need to be creative with our solutions to tackle this massive situation, to find ways of restoring joy, friendship and fun to older lonely people.

Andrew Harrop, director of Age Concern and Help the Aged, Writing in The Guardian, asks why not bring together young and old? He puts forward the idea "of tapping into the time of the parents of young children". Many an older person living alone would be delighted by a visit from a parent and young child - it would make their day! At the same time, parents at home with young children would be looking for different things to do locally with the kids. As Mr Harrop says, since his daughter was born he has seen that nothing brings people together as much as cooing over a young baby. He says: "Matching frail older people with local parents could be a fantastic way to tackle isolation without the usual problems of stigma and suspicion."

On a budget of one million pounds, the Age Concern director would set up and promote this innovative matchmaking service. He suggests teaming up the local Sure Starts or National Childbirth Trust branches with an Age Concern or Alzheimer's centre. After that, he says, "We'd have to hope the mum's grapevine would do the hard work for us. Step forward…Tea for Three."

Andrew Harrop, was due to speak at the Balloon Debate. At the debate there is only enough air in the balloon to support one of the many challenges facing the ageing population. These include better drugs and treatment for Alzheimer's Disease to greater creativity in pensions and care - but there is only one million pounds to spend.

The winner will be the person who speaks most eloquently and convincingly about the cause closest to their heart. Wouldn't it be great if the new scheme for bringing together old and young takes off?

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