I also found out, when I looked into it a little further, that weak social relationships influence a person's health as badly as smoking and alcohol consumption do.
The research I found online showed clearly that loneliness can indeed kill. It also stated that older people are especially at risk.
On the Age Concern website I found the results of a recent survey of older New Zealanders - 8 per cent of respondents rated themselves as being severely lonely.
Pair the above with last week's story about single pensioners surviving on just over $100 a week, and it gives us a pretty grim outlook for the future.
I turned 40 a few weeks ago, and although that isn't all that old, it still makes me wonder what my life will look like, let's say 25 years from now.
Will I have my health, my friends, will my children be near, or will I also become lonely and isolated? It's such a scary thought.
I have seen young people get frustrated and roll their eyes when they are behind an older person in the supermarket queue who is taking a little more time with their credit card than others.
I've also heard many people complain about older drivers. It annoys me, as a few minutes more or less shouldn't matter that much.
Some of the most interesting people I have met over the years were well in their 80s at the time.
They had some funny and interesting stories to tell, and I really enjoyed the contact we had. I could have stayed in touch, and looked them up every now and again, but for some reason I didn't bother.
A few years ago, I spotted an ad in the paper that asked for volunteers who would spend an hour or so a week visiting older people.
It was not to run errands for people or to take care of them - all that was required was a weekly visit and a chat.
I remember thinking how easy it would be to do this, how it could make a real difference in a person's life, and how it could enrich mine.
But I never picked up the phone to make it happen.
I guess I used the excuse of not having enough time, or not being able to commit to weekly visits because of my own irregular schedule.
Reasons that, now I think about it, were not that valid to begin with.
Then again, I also know it is never too late to start making a difference.
Age Concern, the organisation dedicated to serving the needs of older New Zealanders, still runs a service like this. It's called Accredited Visiting Service Ratonga Torotoro Whaimana, and further information can be found on their website www.ageconcern.org.nz/happiness/keeping-connected/would-you-more-company.
I emailed the service earlier today and requested more information about becoming a volunteer.
I am awaiting their reply, and hope that plenty of others will think about this, then decide to do the same.
Martine Rolls is a Tauranga writer and digital strategist.
