When did you last visit granny?

Have you gone a year or more without seeing your parents? Researchers have found that 12 per cent of ageing parents only get to see their sons, daughters and grandchildren three times a year - despite living just 66 miles away on average.

The survey found long office hours, kids' homework, after-school activities as well as feeling too tired by the time it's the weekend are just some of the other reasons to dissuade a visit to elderly parents. Only one in five people polled make an effort to see their nearest and dearest once a month.

A third of people over the age of 40 blame their busy lifestyles for neglecting their elderly parents, whilst 43 per cent say lack of contact is inevitable as they live too far away to make more of an effort.

The extent to which the nation's ageing population feel alone and largely ignored emerged in a survey of 3000 over-40s carried out by live-in care agency Christies Care.

Hugh Gathorne-Hardy, Chairman of Christies Care said: ''It's clear many elderly parents and grandparents are being forgotten about as we carry on with our hectic and stressful lives. Too many are seen too little throughout the year and a significant number are left feeling isolated, with little human contact. It takes effort to take time out and visit relatives, but even regular telephone calls will help them know you care.”

The survey found long office hours, kids' homework, after-school activities as well as feeling too tired by the time it's the weekend are just some of the other reasons to dissuade a visit to elderly parents. Only one in five people polled make an effort to see their nearest and dearest once a month.

Despite all this neglect, the study also found that 36 per cent of adults are currently concerned for their parent's well being. Three in ten fear their parents are becoming isolated due to illness, death of a partner or low income and it emerged grandparents spend nearly six hours a day with no human contact.

The study also quizzed adults on whether they have any future plans in place for looking after their elderly parents. 85 per cent said they would be prepared to look after their parents if and when they needed help and two thirds would even move house to be closer to them. Eight in ten said living at home would be their parent's preferred choice in old age, rather than residential or nursing homes. Few knew much about the care service options available.

Hugh Gathorne-Hardy added: ''It's shocking that very few people understand how much care services cost, how they might pay, but also how so few have plans for their parent's future.There's a big national debate about the future of adult social care and people need to know what Government help they'll get, but also how they'll pay for the rest.''

The survey was carried out to mark the launch of a new guide 'Paying for Care: Your options explained' published by Christies Care. For more information please visit www.christiescare.com