New research has linked loneliness to an increased risk of falls for the elderly and an advocate says the holiday period is when older people are at the highest risk.
The research looked at 13,061 people aged 60 and over between 2002 and 2012 and found that those living alone had an 18 percent higher risk of reporting a fall.
People with the least social contact were 24 percent more likely to fall, and 36 to 42 percent more likely to be hospitalised.
Grey Power spokesperson Bill Rayner told The AM Show it's "a real problem".
"As you get older, falls get more prevalent...you often hear these sad tales of people lying injured for some considerable time and it's probably going to get worse."
He says muscle fragility and balance issues are both problems that come with old age and people on their own have fewer resources to cope.
"There's organisations like Age Concern particularly in rest homes which have active programs to build up seniors but of course that only applies to a small segment of the community. Most of us just have to look after ourselves."
As the holidays approach, Rayner says it's a tough time of year for the elderly - and COVID-19 will have only exacerbated the isolation.
"One of the hidden problems is the isolation of older people - it's really sad," he said.
"It's a particular thing in New Zealand like all my family at one stage were overseas so there's a lot of Kiwis with family overseas who are on their own at home so it is a real issue, and a growing one as well with COVID."
