By Katie Spencer, Sky News Reporter
A growing number of lonely older men in Britain are struggling with social isolation and lack proper support, charity Independent Age has told Sky News.
Simon Bottery from the organisation, which gives help and advice to older people, said the problem was becoming more apparent because men are living longer.
"It used to be that older women would live longer than men, but men are catching up, their health is improving, so they're living as long or even past their wives," he said.
"What happens then is it can be extremely difficult to cope with the grief and bereavement and then make and maintain social contacts afterwards."
New research conducted by Independent Age and the International Longevity Centre shows the number of older men living alone is expected to rise from 911,000 to 1.5 million by 2030.
It also found that, compared to women of the same age, there is a tendency for older men to have significantly less contact with their children, family and friends.
The charity says men need to see the findings as a "wake-up call" to maintain social contacts as they get older.
It also wants community groups to do more to make older men feel more included.
"Typically befriending services tend to be thought of in terms of older women but we're going to have to change the way we go about things in the voluntary sector."
Unlike some men his age, 90-year-old Jimmy Mitchell has forged strong links with his community in Brechin, Scotland.
Through his local church and outings with Contact the Elderly, the former RAF dispatch rider has built up a network of friends but says he can understand how some men end up isolated.
"It must be terrible for those who are on their own, stuck in their house all the time, not getting out and about."
"I go to church every Sunday, I have lots of friends there, some of them call in to see me and have a chat and a cup of tea.
"I'm more fortunate than a lot of people."
The Royal British Legion hopes its 16 new pop-in centres will make it easier for former veterans to access support.
"People can already phone our call centres or go online," said the charity's Bob Gamble.
"But for a number of people it's nicer to come and see a face.
"The legion has a fairly meaningful role with regard to people who are living on their own.
"They're really for people that are on their own, who want to go somewhere, hang their hat, and have a talk with someone with a shared experience."
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