Social isolation and loneliness are much more serious than just uncomfortable feelings... Research has shown that social isolation and loneliness has been linked with increased mortality, depression, high blood pressure and dementia. These are serious issues in New Zealand and not just for our older generations. Social isolation and loneliness are problems that people struggle with right across New Zealand's social demographics on a daily basis. how can grandfriends help? GrandFriends can be the bridge that connects generations. By connecting families with grandfriends and grandfriends with our children; we can fight social isolation and loneliness in New Zealand. Working together, we can make New Zealand a more caring and connected nation.