When I was under 10, both sets of grandparents and four of five aunts and uncles were within 10 miles, most under 3. Now we're all over the place and a visit isn't a regular frequent thing but a major, rarer, trip.
As I'm in my mid fifties some of the future looks rather bleak. Add longer life expectancy after retirement and for most, better mental and physical health, and you end up with many more years to contemplate your loneliness.
I saw one story a few years back of a retirement home that combined a nursery. Which turned out to be a huge boost for both the kid's development, parents, and the old folks. Every day they would have joint activities. Sounded a great idea that we need far more of, rather than occasional novelty worth reporting.