I'm about your age Jeff. I have a really bad back and both knees are shot with arthritis. It means I can't walk very far or even stand for more than a minute or two. Every step I take is painful to some degree - oh for the days when I walked without even thinking about it like most people. As a result I am long term unemployed even though I would love to work at something I am capable of. I applied, over a period of years, for well over three hundred positions and had one interview and one job offer for something I couldn't physically do - the job ad didn't properly describe all the duties. I am one friend away from total loneliness. I've never had the knack of making friends as easily as some people do and even though I have relatives in the area they rarely ever contact me - they have their own lives and I'm not included. My best friend and three other friends have all died (fairly young) in the last ten years. I now have one friend left. He has health problems and if he dies before me I will actually be left with not one human being that I can really talk to. It's a frightening thought that I would have no connection with even one of the over six billion humans on this planet. I'm sure that many would say "Join a club" or something similar. But I've been looking at that idea for some time now and can't see any organisation that I'm interested in or would be physically capable of paticipating in. And most of these clubs only meet once a week or once a month. Even now I'm alone all day except for an hour or two on most days that my one friend calls and gets me out of the house. I have a car and can get out of the house by myself - but when I do, I'm still alone! There is only one real answer to most loneliness and that is for family, neighbours and people in general to identify and help by including and spending time with the lonely people. There are many organisations that "introduce" people, usually for money. We need an organisation(s) to help lonely people meet other people and each other for support, entertainment and plain good company.

There is nothing to recommend old age.

Jeff, this is a real problem in our society and it is to the detriment of the elderly and young alike. Prgrammes like the "Mens' Shed" movement are helping to address some of this, but giving the retired valuable work to do and providing the young and impressionable guidance from those who have "been there and done that". Expansion of these tpes of things will help many areas of our community

Loneliness also applies to the young particularly those in a battle with cancer.Left behind denied so much.

Dear Concerned, I'm sorry to hear of your plight and pain. I find the best way to escape a lonely world is into the world of books. Get your local librarian to recommend some good ones and you'll soon be taken to new places. If you're unable to get to the library, they'll deliver to your door. This also gives you something interesting to think and talk about (can join a book club through your library too). I arrrived new in this country months ago and without work or kids felt very isolated. I joined book clubs and did courses through Hunter Community College and by being bold (which isn't my normal way as I'm usually shy) and making the effort to talk to people have made new friends slowly but surely. I have the advantage of being younger and mobile but I just want to tell you that there are many ways to meet new people. Most of the people I've met are older than me in their 50s and 60s but they're all out there waiting to make new friends. Look in the community newspaper (Post/Star) for lists of clubs or do a course. There must be something you have even a faint interest in doing just for the advantage of making a friend. Or just sharing ideas and conversation in the context of it. Strangers are friends waiting to happen. You have to be willing to make the first move and reach out. You are not the only lonely person out there and you could be the special friends someone else is waiting to meet. Be bold, step out of yourself and offer someone a friendly smile and brighten their day too. God bless.

Yes to be lonely at any age is very sad.The young ones could learn so much from our older population as they have so much knowledge that they have gained over thier working lives,stuff that you will never find in any text book,and i think both sides would find it very rewarding.