Over recent years, the increase in the number of people living alone means that the reality of dying alone is a social issue that needs to be addressed. Cases of old or infirm people being discovered dead in their homes many days or even weeks and months after their death cause great public concern. But how commonplace are these incidents and what are the implications for service providers and policy makers?

The report draws together several topics in an analysis of the issues covering the usefulness of data on found deaths to policy makers and service providers; the prospects for prevention; and the obligation of service providers to monitor the situation of vulnerable older people living in the community.