YOU can judge a society by the way it treats its older folk.

It’s only right that people who have contributed to society all their lives should have their needs met in later life. Britain has a state pension, a winter fuel allowance and a social care system, and that’s all to its credit.

And yet some older people still have to worry about whether they can afford to put the heating on in winter and still put food on the table.

With cold weather on the way, Age UK in Bournemouth is asking people to follow some simple advice.

All of us should check on elderly and vulnerable people who live near us.

And the elderly should wear hats and gloves indoors, as that is where they lose the most heat, they say. If you can afford only to heat one room, you should stay in that one.

It seems sad that, for all the hopes of our welfare state, charities are still having to advise people to wear woollies indoors. Perhaps society still isn’t doing right by its elderly.