Discovery of old woman two years after her death sparks debate on loneliness in Italy

Discovery of old woman two years after her death sparks debate on loneliness in Italy
February 9, 2022, 7:32 am

Old woman/Pixabay

The Euronews reported, citing the AFP, the discovery of a woman's decomposing body in Italy has reignited debate about loneliness.

Police confirmed the remains of a 70-year-old woman had been found on Friday at her home in Prestino, near Lake Como.

According to local media, she had no living relatives and her neighbours had not seen or heard from her for at least two and a half years.

Police were initially called to her home due to the risk of trees falling in her garden.

Authorities say there was nothing to indicate her death was suspicious and the Prestino municipality is expected to pay the burial costs.

Elena Bonetti, the Italian minister for equal opportunities and family, said: "What happened ... the forgotten loneliness, hurts our consciences."

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She added on Facebook: "Remembering her life is the duty of a community that wants to remain united."

"We need to stop limiting our horizons to the private sphere and return to caring for each other. Caring for each other is the experience of families, of institutions, of our citizenship: no one should be left alone."

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According to a 2018 report by the National Statistics Institute (Istat), in Italy, almost 40% of people over 75 live alone. The same percentage of people have no relatives or friends to turn to in times of need.

Source: euronews

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