Scott felt all alone in the world, but one phone call saved his life

Since that day in 2015, Mr Liddell has made it his mission to provide a listening ear to his community, working as a pastoral carer and mentor for support network Mentoring Men.

"No matter how 'alright' we think we are ... everyone needs someone they can talk to," Mr Liddell, from south-western Sydney, said.

"Even if it's about nothing."

The 65-year-old's situation is not uncommon.

In a study released by the Australian Institute of Family Studies on February 1, 2024, the majority of service providers reported older people struggled to network as they aged, leading to social isolation and amplified feelings of abandonment and loneliness.

Study co-author Emily Stevens said the importance of supporting older people could not be overstated, particularly those in regional Australia.

Services were more limited and inaccessible in rural, remote and regional areas.

"I think just being aware that [elderly isolation] is an important issue," Dr Stevens said.

"As individuals we can do really basic things ... like making eye contact and smiling or saying hello to a neighbour."

Her report found the death of a spouse or family member, health problems and caring roles can all contribute to isolation.

And the problem could get worse.

The 65 and older age group is expected to more than double from 3.8 million to 8.8 million in the next quarter century.

One participant in the study said loneliness worsened as older people lost their self-esteem and confidence.

"Rather than have to make an effort they'll just think, 'Oh, it's easy to stay at home, you know ... I don't have to do anything much if I'm just here by myself'," the service provider said.

Dr Stevens said retirement was a particularly crucial time for men.

"That's when social isolation comes up with these men, because they have such a strong connection to their working identity," she said.

Organisations supporting elderly people in building relationships are key to changing stories like Mr Liddell's.

Mentoring Men is one group working to bridge the gaps.

Founded by Ian Westmoreland five years ago, the foundation's vision is "no man walks alone".

This rings true for Mr Liddell.

He first found Mentoring Men through a social media post in 2021.

Almost four years later, he has been a mentee and a trained mentor.

"I'm not a psychologist and I'm not a counsellor ... we're there just to be a friend they can talk to," he said.

Mentoring Men chief executive Simon Jarvis said these relationships are key to reducing loneliness among elderly men.

"As men get older we lose our community around us, we lose friends, we start to lose connections that we've had for a very long time," he said.

"And from there comes a lot of other stresses and pressures."

The program also provides participants with purpose.

"There's great benefits to having older men as mentors because ... we gain the knowledge and experience that they've gone through in life," Mr Jarvis said.

Scott Liddell is still in touch with his first mentor; they catch up regularly for a cup of coffee and a chat.

"What we find a lot of the time is that, if our program and connection lasts for longer than a month, it's going to last for years," Mr Jarvis said.

Factors, dynamics and effects of isolation for older people: an exploratory study was commissioned by Seniors Rights Service and funded by the NSW government.

The report recommends a review of My Aged Care portal accessibility, improving community-level support and services, addressing access to GPs, and tackling entrenched perceptions of age.