Independent Age, the older people's charity, has opened a freephone number for a new advice service.
The charity's team of trained advice workers can offer advice on issues such as social care, welfare benefits and social support.
Independent Age also produces up-to-date information guides and factsheets about the most common issues affecting older people.
These can be downloaded for free from the website www.independentage.org.
The launch of the freephone number comes at a time of year when Independent Age typically sees an increase in calls to its advice service from people who have been left concerned for an older person or relative following a Christmas visit.
Victoria Richards, Head of Advice and Support at Independent Age, says, "With the cost of living increasing, Independent Age recognised the importance to older people of providing a means of contacting the charity for free.
"We're particularly pleased to be launching this new freephone number at a time when we receive a higher volume of calls from people concerned about older relatives they have seen over Christmas."
The Independent Age number is 0800 319 6789.
