Listening to others is fast becoming a lost art. We've delegated that function to shrinks. We all could listen to others more, and give them space to talk. I hope your friend finds a shrink they like to talk to. I've done about a million years of the stuff. It got me through some very hard times. But I think aging is the best psychological support of all. I understand now why so many cultures venerate the elderly. It's a shame many western cultures, especially medical care, do not.
I think in this day and age, the elderly have also segmented themselves from others, looking to be independent as well, until they tend to end up alone. It would be great if more families were actually families, spending time together in the thick and thin, not just the special occasions. Everyone would learn a lot.