EDINBURGH, Scotland, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- This winter is expected to be a tough one for the elderly in Scotland with many now cut off from social services by a December cold snap.
The Scottish Pensioners' Forum estimates as many as 200,000 are now isolated in their homes, The Scotsman reported. In some areas, dangerous road conditions have forced local councils to cut back on services.
Bad weather brought the eastern part of the country to a near-stop Thursday. The airport in Edinburgh was closed for much of the day, rail service in some areas was halted and drivers who did risk the roads faced heavy snow and black ice.
Even if the snow, as expected, stops, low temperatures are forecast into next week. That could interfere with attempts to dig out.
The Pensioners' Forum said about 3,000 elderly died last winter from seasonal problems. This winter could take an even heavier toll, the forum said.
