So sorry you have to suffer loneliness, as if things weren't bad enough.

I find myself surprised that none of the neighbours are stepping up, given that Ben clearly assumed they would. Could it be that thing that people get when confronted with another person's loss/grief - they don't want to offer help (except maybe once just after it happens) because they feel it might be intrusive and/or that if you needed them you would ask. Obviously, I don't know them. You do. But it occurred to me.