[News] Before and after photos show the effect one year of loneliness had on elderly people following months of lockdown

Awareness is being drawn to loneliness and how it can cause a rapid decline in people’s health.

Harrowing photographs have been released to show the toll the pandemic has taken on care home residents, many of whom have spent almost a year in isolation.

The before and after images illustrate how the elderly – who have not seen loved ones due to the visiting ban to curb the spread of Covid-19 – have suffered dramatic declines in their mental and physical health.

Charities in the UK said such photos are proof that the “inhumane” bans must never be allowed to happen again.

See some below.