According to a Danish interest group protecting elderly rights the simple lack of relations to others increases the risk of illness and an early death by 50%. Unfortunately the problem is western world wide and more initiatives are called for.

One of the initiatives that have fallen into our taste is the Campaign to End Loneliness. Behind the group are five partner organisations (Age UK Oxfordshire, Independent Age, Manchester City Council, Royal Voluntary Service and Sense) working alongside more than 2.500 supporters, all tackling loneliness in older age.

From the website:

"The Campaign to End Loneliness inspires thousands of organisations and people to do more to tackle the health threat of loneliness in older age. The Campaign to End Loneliness is a network of national, regional and local organisations and people working together through community action, good practice, research and policy to ensure that loneliness is acted upon as a public health priority at national and local levels."

To join the campaign have a look at the sign-up.