Issue Summary social isolation

 Up to 24% of Canadian seniors experience social isolation, defined as having minimal meaningful contact with others. This is a growing public health concern with measurable impacts on health, emergency services, and long-term care systems.

Key risks increase with:
• Living alone
• Low income
• Being a newcomer or visible minority
• Hearing/vision loss or mobility changes
• Loss of spouse or major life transitions
• Lack of accessible transportation
• Ageism and stigma

Isolation is distinct from loneliness: loneliness is a feeling; isolation is an objective lack of connection with serious health consequences.

Why It Matters

Research shows that social isolation increases risks of dementia, depression, heart disease, stroke, and premature death, comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Isolated seniors are heavier users of emergency rooms, hospitals, and long-term care. Municipal environments, transportation, sidewalks, signage, benches, accessibility, and community programming, play a major role in preventing or reducing isolation.

Key evidence and sources:

1.   National Seniors Council – Report on Social Isolation
https://www.canada.ca/en/national-seniors-council.html

2.   World Health Organization – Age-Friendly Communities Framework
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241547307

3.   Statistics Canada – Social Isolation in Seniors
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca
(Search: "Social isolation of older adults - StatCan")

4.   Age-Friendly Communities Framework (World Health Organization)
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241547307

5.   Public Health Agency of Canada – Age-Friendly in Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/aging-seniors.html

6.   Research on Health Impacts of Isolation (Holt-Lunstad et al.)
Summary accessible via the National Institute on Aging:
https://www.nia.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/social-isolation-loneliness-older-people-pose-health-risks