Churches have a significant role to play in protecting the elderly from loneliness. The victim feels bored, empty, excluded, and full of self-pity. Sex and age don't predict loneliness, but marital status, self perceived health status, income, social activity, and social fulfillment do. It's so satisfying to 'sell' my hometown to interested travelers. Volunteers have fun.
Bad health can isolate some elderly from activities and social fulfillment.
Being in a nursing home can make people feel particularly isolated. If the staff encourages the development of relationships among residents, not only friendships but even marriage can result. Alcoholics and drug addicts have difficulty controlling their environment and turn to drugs to change it. They are threatened by being alone, but their personality prevents them from doing anything about it. Group therapy teaches them to develop feelings of trust which dissolves loneliness.