Lonely older people are more than twice as likely to die than those who aren't lonely.
More than one in three of our older people say they're lonely - which can have a serious impact on their health.
A new study has been carried out on behalf of Age Friendly Ireland - who are urging volunteers to get involved in tackling the problem.
Brian Lawlor is professor of old age psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, and he led the study;
The study saw a group of volunteers aged over 55 visit older people over a ten week period for an hour a week.
Mary Clonan-Diffley from Co. Meath, was involved in the programme;
