Isolation is a huge problem for the elderly in Canberra and across Australia, but community groups are helping combat the issue with innovative and thoughtful programs.

According to the World Health Organisation, the world's population is ageing fast. By 2050 one in five people will be over 60. The number of aged over 80 is projected to triple from 143 million in 2019 to 426 million in 2050.

The organisation said it is becoming even more important to empower older people and enable their full participation and social inclusion.

The UN International Day of Older Persons, held on Tuesday, was an opportunity to highlight the important contributions that older people make to society, and draw attention to the struggle to respond to the complex and diverse health needs of older people.

Woden Community Service's Sandy Van Der Toorn is the social group coordinator for people aged over 65. Ms Van Der Toorn said the programs enable people to have a better quality of life.

"These people are frequently isolated, whether they are isolated due to lack of family, ill health or lack of transport ability," Ms Van Der Toorn said.

"They make friends when they're in the group situation, so we pick them up to get them together and they make friendships within their groups."

She said it's particularly pleasing to see the older people make friends within the group, and start socialising with those friends outside of it.

"From my point of view the greatest challenge is depression, because as you get older you lose your independence in a lot of ways. It's not necessarily clinical depression, but being bored and lonely is not a healthy way to live."

"We want to keep people in their homes for as long as possible, having a good quality of life."

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Australian Red Cross ACT regional manager Mark Duggan said it is often the small things which made a big impact.

"It's just so important to be looking after each other in the community," Mr Duggan said.

"Even a simple phone call or conversation with a neighbour can make the world of difference to someone who is isolated."

He said the Red Cross supports thousands of people around Australia who are lonely and isolated through phone calls, transportation and visiting people at home.

Audrey Dargan, 91, gets a phone call every morning from the Red Cross to "make sure I'm still alive".

She said it's like a warm hug when you live alone. She also visits the gym at the University of Canberra every week for a special class to focus on balance and help prevent falls.

At 93, Alex McLean's body is wearing out a bit. He praises the Red Cross volunteers for their Meals on Wheels program, which helps keep him going.

"I set out to make the most of the people in the services that I so admire," Mr McLean said. "I still miss my wife, I will forever, but I'm not lonely. Definitely not lonely. I make a point of becoming friendly with all the volunteers."

He said when the volunteers come to visit him, it's his alternative to a social day out.

"That's what makes my day to day life worth living," Mr McLean said.

Ms Van Der Toorn said it was a privilege to do the work she does, because she would hate to think anyone was lonely or bored.

"I get a huge kick out of it," she said.

"I never really had grandparents and I find it huge fun to spend time enjoying myself with them. I get a big kick out of making more friendships and feeling better, and smiling. Life picks up.