Seniors and Social Isolation: A Complex Issue 2

 Working with family members to help aging parents to become engaged in the

Community seniors centre is a slow process. While the adult children want

this experience for mom/ dad, sometimes the parents are reluctant.

Factors that put seniors at risk of social isolation are listed below. The more risk factors, the greater the likelihood of social isolation:

·        Disabilities

·        Chronic illness/poor health

·        Experiencing a loss (of a spouse, home, job)

·        Experiencing abuse, sexism, racism, homophobia, financial issues

·        Language issues

·        Living alone

·        Reduced social networks

·        Transportation issues

·        Poverty or low income

·        Low self esteem

·        Being female

·        Being a single man

·        New to country

·        Lack of housing

Profile 2 – Characteristics of seniors most vulnerable to isolation are:

·        Men and women who have limited assistance with routine activities such as meal preparation, shopping, and transportation, with low emotional support

·        Women who have had low support with routine activities, reduced physical leisure activities and/or live alone

·        Men who are vulnerable to social isolation and have low emotional support

·        Older seniors (age 80 and older) compared to younger seniors (age 65-69) are more

·        vulnerable to social isolation if they have low support with routine activities, and reduced engagement in physical leisure activities and/or live alone 

·        Those who have experienced the death of a spouse, close relative or friends

Profile 3 - Seniors most likely to experience the most social exclusion:

·        Are older

·        Live in urban areas

·        Have no partner

·        Have activity limitations due to health

·        Are born outside of Canada

·        Have lower levels of education