Think back to the last time you were in line at the supermarket impatiently waiting for an elderly lady to finish cash for her groceries as she told the cashier about the last visit from her son four months ago. Would you have felt differently had you known that this would be her only social interaction for the week? Social isolation of the elderly is a growing problem in developing countries, which often leads to loneliness, depression and fear. Numerous studies have linked loneliness with poor health and early death.