• Over 500,000 Canadians aged 65+ feel socially isolated.

    In addition, over a million seniors reported low social engagements within their communities. Studies suggest that social isolation is a bigger health risk than inactivity, obesity, or smoking, and increases the likelihood for abuse.

  • Risk factors

    Include, but not limited to:

    • Decline in cognitive, mental, or physical health
    • Dependencies or addictions
    • Disabilities
    • Inaccessibility to community resources or transportation
    • Lack of proper housing
    • Language or cultural barriers
    • Living alone
    • Loss of a life partner
    • Low income or poverty
    • Marginalization
    • Moving to a new residence or community
    • Small social network
    • Sole care-provider for loved one
    • Unemployment or underemployment

    Consequences

    • Caregiver burnout
    • Chronic disease
    • Dementia
    • Depression
    • Drinking, smoking or other drug dependencies
    • Falls
    • Hospitalization
    • Mortality
    • Poor general health
    • Poor sleep
    • Reduced quality of life
    • Sedentary
    • Suicide
    • Weight loss