The 'grandfriends' initiative helping reduce loneliness amongst older Aussies

About 1.6 million people over the age of 65 are living alone in Australia, with many experiencing social isolation and loneliness.

While it's an upsetting statistic, there's a new "grandfriends" program in Queensland which has been created to help reduce those numbers by giving seniors the opportunity to form special bonds with some very friendly four-year-olds, in the name of better mental health.

"It's actually changed my life," grandfriend Ron told A Current Affair.

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Every Thursday, a small group of elderly Queenslanders visit the Prince Charles Hospital Early Education Centre. When they do, every face lights up.

Grandfriend Ron said he loves interacting with the kids and watching them get creative.

"I just look forward to it. It gives me such a buzz," he said.

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Robyn and her husband said every visit is different.

"The children love it and they love joining in," she said.

"It's a very special thing to do, so basically it gets me into more activities and things I really enjoy.

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"It gives me something to look forward to."

Singing and playing instruments is just one of the many activities they do together.

Others include reading, storytelling, flower arranging, colouring in, role-playing, cooking and more.

"If I can sit with the kids and teach them one thing, it just helps them in their daily life ... in the future," grandfriend Jan said.

Jan always wanted to be a kindergarten teacher but never had the opportunity when she was younger.

The 75-year-old said her time with the children is the highlight of her week.

"I don't have any grandchildren and I just think it is great when they come up and give you a hug," she said.

While it's obvious by the children's chats, smiles and hugs that they get so much out of the program too, A Current Affair spoke to parents to find out just how much grandfriends mean to their kids.

Mum Kristine Dous said it's been great for her daughter Clara, especially given she doesn't have grandparents in Brisbane.

"I think Clara's built confidence, having these fill-in grandparents," Dous said.

Senior social worker Marion Fuller is on the Older Persons Mental Health team at Metro North Health and Hospital Service.

She explained that older adults with mental health issues are more vulnerable to being lonely, but the idea of the program is to help seniors by socially connecting them with kindergarten-aged children.

"This has just gone beyond my wildest dreams," Fuller said.

"I've had people phone up from another hospital to say, 'how can we … develop it as well'?"

Given its current success, it's hoped the grandfriends program will expand within the centre.

The grandfriends program is part of the Common Good initiative at the Prince Charles Hospital Foundation to help people live healthier for longer.

The Common Good general manager of marketing and memberships, Chloe Nguyen, said "If we can get people moving, if we can provide that sense of purpose, they're going to be up" and "they are going to be active out in the community".

"Which is going to reduce the likelihood of them needing to return to hospital for various elements, whether that's injury or illness," Nguyen explained.

Nguyen said the Prince Charles Hospital Early Education Centre currently has over 10 rooms.

"So there's so much opportunity to expand not only here, but right throughout south-east Queensland to other kindergarten centres as well," she said.

For more information on The Common Good, visit here.