WHEN his wife of 45 years died, Ken Wilson found himself suddenly alone. For the first time in many years, the 82-year-old had to get used to living on his own.
Injuries including a torn tendon in his shoulder, left the Croydon Hills grandfather-of-three housebound.
"When you've been married for so long and you've had somebody, to then to be on your own, to have to adjust, it's very difficult," Mr Wilson said.
"Family and friends are wonderful, but still, I guess, I'm a people's person and I like people around me, but having to adjust to living in a home on your own is a little hard."
According to a new Australian Red Cross survey, one in four of Australians – or 5.6 million people – are lonely almost all of the time or on a regular basis.
Thirty four per cent said they were lonely due to the death of a loved one and 31 per cent experienced loneliness after moving away from friends and family.
It showed men aged 55 years and over were most likely to feel lonely after a divorce or separation.
But women aged more than 55 years were significantly more likely to chat to a friend or family member to help counteract loneliness.
Losing a job was a significantly higher loneliness trigger for men aged between 35 to 54 years. Women aged 18 to 34 were most likely to feel lonely after the birth of a child.
The Australian Red Cross has launched the Season of Belonging campaign, calling on Australians to reach out to each other to prevent loneliness.
Australian Red Cross chief executive Judy Slatyer said nobody should be alone and isolated at Christmas.
"Loneliness doesn't have to be a constant part of so many lives," Ms Slatyer said.
"All it takes is for one person to reach out and brighten up a person's life with one of our easy steps.
"Even a simple phone call or an invitation to Christmas dinner can make the world of difference to someone who is isolated."
The organisation lists five ways to stop loneliness: meet your neighbours; volunteer; say hello to someone new in your neighbourhood; check on someone who may be in trouble; be kind on social media.
When the loneliness got too much for Mr Wilson, he called the Red Cross for help.
Soon after, he was introduced to a volunteer, Chris Ueda, 21, who visits once a week.
"I have an iPad and Chris has helped me quite a lot because I'm only a beginner ... but then in return I've shown him a lot of tips in the woodwork trade," Mr Wilson said.
"Probably sometimes without realising it we can let ourselves get into a rut ... and not realise that 'oh, but I used to do this.' By just having a casual chat to Chris and finding out that he was interested in woodwork, we went out into the garage and it rejuvenated me, it's got me interested again.
"Most of my friends and the rest of my family were older people ... but ... I want to think young ... and I guess meeting Chris has been good because he is younger and that keeps you going."
Be part of the Season of Belonging or make a donation at redcross.org.au/act or by phoning 1800 733 276 (RED CROSS).
