Hana and Wanda's unlikely friendship is helping tackle an insidious problem

One in six older Australians experience social isolation. This program is designed to tackle it Anyone looking at Hana and Wanda can see they share a special friendship. They chat, laugh, sing karaoke at Wanda's aged care home and even dance together in the local park. You'd be forgiven for thinking they've known each other for decades. But their friendship began seven years ago when they met through a free program tackling loneliness among older Australians. It is something estimated to affect one in six Australians and is more common among people with cognitive impairment. Laughter and dancing Hana Byambadash, 63, and Wanda Janus, 87, first bonded over a love of music and dancing. They also share a love of Polish movies from Wanda's homeland, with Hana saying they even have the same favourite film. "Wanda was in Poland, I was in Mongolia, it was something we had similar," Hana said. "[People] like to be with me because I'm funny and I'm joking with them, I have a good time and then they come again," Wanda giggled. The program that brought the women together is offered by Umbrella Multicultural Community Care in Perth. Chief executive Borhan Milani said it aimed to address the "significant and under-recognised issue" of social isolation and loneliness among the elderly. "What we've realised is that one or two hours … playing a card game or having a cup of tea or a coffee or going for a walk, that alone has completely changed their life,"he said. "They have hope, they look forward to their next visit … and for the first time some of them are actually smiling and look forward to starting their day." Isolation and disease Social isolation is defined as a lack of connection and interaction with social networks, according to the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS). The institute said this had been linked to issues including poor mental health, declines in cognitive function and premature death. Wanda has dementia and suffers from common symptoms of the disease, but Hana says music transforms her friend's mood. "I've seen her very happy when she dances. She becomes a different person," she said. The Umbrella program currently oversees 183 matches, and with a growing waiting list, Mr Milani said more volunteers were desperately needed. Rising cost-of-living pressures also mean more families are unable to spend as much time and resources as they would like caring for their elderly relatives. "With the economic challenges and cost-of-living expenses … what we have found is as the aging population is growing, the demand for volunteers is growing, so have the time limitations,"he said. "Our volunteers have less and less time unfortunately because they have their own life priorities, they have to work and be able to pay the bills." Umbrella also offers an inclusive space for clients and their volunteers to meet up, and also takes them out on weekly excursions. Mr Milani said these gatherings are the only opportunity for connection for some clients. 'You gain more than you give' Hana said she initially got involved in the program to give back to the community, but quickly found it filled her cup as well. "My mum is a few years younger than Wanda. I miss my mum quite often, so to come and see Wanda I just feel like I'm seeing my mum," she said. "When I go and see Wanda at the nursing home, I give her a hug and then I see the other seniors want to give me a hug as well." Hana encouraged more Perth residents to join the program, and said just one hour a week could make a huge difference. "You will gain more than you give," she said.