HSE ADVICE: The health Service Executive has urged the public to continue to look out for their elderly relatives and neighbours.

It called for vigilance particularly in respect of vulnerable people and people living alone as severe hardship and heightened risk can be caused by people becoming isolated in their own homes without adequate access to heat, appropriate nutrition and, in some cases, medical care.

Public health nurses and home helps continue to visit their elderly and housebound clients but are experiencing some difficulty in accessing people in remote areas.

Pat Healy, regional director of operations for HSE South, said they are liaising with local authorities in such cases but stressed it is important that the general public also continue to call to their elderly relatives and neighbours.

“This is important as elderly people, in particular in remote areas, may find it difficult to move about on icy footpaths and roads, may not have access to transport and subsequently have little or no contact with people during this . . . period of cold weather.”

Cases of fractures and sprains among the elderly have increased fourfold during the past week, Cork University Hospital said.