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

 

A Connected Canada, Built One Community at a Time

 Social isolation is a national issue, but the real change happens locally, street by street, program by program. Canada has strong foundations in the National Seniors Council and Age-Friendly initiatives. What we need now is consistent, coordinated action.

Imagine neighbourhoods with benches, accessible transportation, multilingual programs, and real technology support. Imagine every senior feeling seen and valued.

This year, consider forming a “Seniors Connection Taskforce” with local partners. Choose one measurable step and commit to it. Progress doesn’t have to be dramatic to be meaningful. When we work together, belonging grows.

Life Transitions Aren’t the Problem, Being Left Alone During Them Is

Retirement. Losing a spouse. Adult children moving provinces. Health changes that happen slowly… until suddenly they don’t. Seniors navigate more major life transitions in five years than many of us do in twenty.

After her husband passed, Mina’s calendar went from full to empty. Not because she didn’t want to participate, but because everything suddenly involved a barrier: transportation, energy, confidence, cost.

When we talk about social isolation, this is what we’re really talking about, an accumulation  of obstacles that gradually box people in.

As seniors, this is where we can shine.
We can’t stop life from changing, but we can make sure  our friends and other seniors don’t go through those changes alone.

Here’s what you can push for:

• Better low-cost or on-demand transportation.
• “Life After…” workshops after bereavement or retirement.
• Volunteer-led visit squads.
• Programs that rebuild skills and confidence in safe, friendly spaces.

Every time we remove one barrier, a circle of connection reopens. Seniors don’t need complicated interventions, they need simple, human supports repeated consistently.

Take Action Today:
Contact one community partner (library, recreation centre, cultural group) and explore a shared pilot project that reconnects adults experiencing big life transitions. Start small. Start now.

The Quiet Crisis We Can No Longer Ignore

If you’ve ever walked into a room full of seniors and sensed that something felt “quieter” than it should… you’re not imagining it. Across Canada, as many as 1 in 4 seniors are socially isolated. Not lonely, isolated. That’s different. Loneliness is a feeling. Isolation is a condition. And it’s becoming a silent public health emergency.

Think of Helen, a vibrant 82-year-old who used to quilt with a circle of friends every Thursday. When her eyesight changed and her ride moved away, those Thursdays disappeared. Not by choice. By circumstance.

Every community has a Helen.
Many communities have hundreds.

Leaders and advocates like have a role here, not as fixers, but as connectors. When isolation deepens, seniors disengage. Health declines. Healthcare costs explode. But the root problem is surprisingly simple: people get cut off from people.

So, here’s the spark for today:
Let’s choose to see social isolation as the serious, solvable issue it is. Let’s bring it into council chambers, advisory meetings, boardrooms, and community conversations with the same urgency we bring to housing or healthcare.

Because no senior should ever fade quietly from the community they helped build.

Take Action Today:
Ask one question in your next meeting:
“What are we doing this quarter to reconnect older adults who have fallen off the radar?”
That single question reopens doors.

Connection Without Compromise, Independence and Belonging Can Coexist

Many people fear that joining a retirement community means losing independence. The reality? It can open new doors to freedom, friendship, and choice. Here’s how connection and autonomy can coexist beautifully in later life.

One of the biggest worries about moving into a retirement community or joining a senior centre is the fear of losing independence. But in practice, most people find the opposite: they gain freedom through connection.

In well-designed communities, your time is your own. You can choose to start your day quietly with coffee on the patio, take part in a group class, or join neighbours for dinner, or not. The key is choice.

Communal spaces offer companionship and activity when you want it, while your private suite or home remains your personal retreat. This balance allows people to live with both autonomy and connection, two essentials for a healthy, satisfying later life.

The benefits go far beyond social life. Seniors who engage in group programs and shared living environments tend to have better mobility, stronger mental health, and a deeper sense of purpose. They aren’t just living longer, they’re living well.

As communities, we have a collective responsibility to make sure no one grows old feeling alone. Senior centres and retirement communities are leading the way, showing that belonging is one of the greatest gifts of ageing.

So, if you’ve been curious about joining a senior centre or exploring retirement living, consider visiting one nearby. If you haven’t yet, visit your local senior centre. Join a class, share a meal, or volunteer. You might find new friends, rediscover a forgotten passion, or simply feel part of a community that reminds you: you still matter, and you still belong, and you ma even start a new chapter of your own story. Aging well isn’t just about years, it’s about belonging. If you haven’t yet visited your local senior centre or retirement community, consider it an invitation. You may discover not just a place to go, but a place to belong

From Shared Meals to Shared Moments How Activities Build Connection

Connection often begins with simple moments, a shared meal, a walk, a laugh. In this post, we explore how activities at senior centres and retirement communities create friendships, boost confidence, and nurture a sense of purpose.

At the heart of every thriving senior centre or retirement community is one simple truth: connection happens through shared experience.

A morning exercise class, a friendly game of carpet bowling, a storytelling evening, or even a casual chat over coffee, each creates an opportunity to connect. These moments build friendships, lift spirits, and often help people find new purpose.

Research confirms that seniors who take part in community programs or group activities are more active, more confident, and less likely to experience depression or cognitive decline. Social connection also improves physical health by reducing stress and promoting movement.

The most successful programs combine fun and meaning. From learning a new craft or mentoring others to joining a walking group or celebrating birthdays, the best activities don’t just fill time, they fill lives.

As one member of a senior centre put it, “I came for the exercise, but I stayed for the people.”

Connection is a powerful medicine. It reminds us that no matter our age, we still have stories to tell, skills to share, and friendships to form.

In our final post, we’ll look at how independence and community can thrive side by side, proving that connection doesn’t mean giving up control, it means gaining new possibilities.

Every shared experience builds a bridge. In our final post, we’ll explore how independence and community can thrive together, proving that connection doesn’t mean giving up control, but gaining new possibilities.

Lessons from the World’s Healthiest Communities, The Power of Belonging

What do the world’s longest-living people have in common? In the “Blue Zones” of Japan and Greece, the secret isn’t just diet or exercise, it’s belonging. Here’s how their example is inspiring senior centres and retirement communities across North America.

If you were to stroll through the small villages of Okinawa, Japan, or the sunlit hills of Ikaria, Greece, both known as “Blue Zones” where people live longer, healthier lives, you would notice a pattern. Neighbours stop to chat. Families eat together. Elders are included in every part of community life.

These aren’t accidental habits. In Blue Zones, social connection is built into the fabric of daily living. People share meals, look out for one another, and have a sense of purpose that lasts throughout life. Researchers believe this strong sense of belonging is one of the main reasons people in these regions live so well, for so long.

That same principle is at work in senior centres and retirement communities here at home. These are places designed for connection, where it’s easy to meet others, share experiences, and feel part of something bigger.

Shared meals, casual conversations, group classes, and community events all help people rebuild their social circles in later life. It’s not just about avoiding loneliness; it’s about thriving together.

People who feel connected tend to have stronger immune systems, lower stress, and greater overall happiness. And for many, that connection leads to rediscovering purpose, the feeling that life still holds meaning and contribution.

In our next post, I will explore how specific activities, from chair yoga to storytelling circles, help seniors form friendships and rediscover joy.

Belonging fuels health and happiness at any age. In our next post, we’ll look at the role of shared activities, from storytelling nights to gentle exercise, in turning neighbours into friends and connection into wellbeing.

Stay connected during the holdays 1

 Retirement is a time of new beginnings it also forces us to shift our daily routines and social connections, which are essential for mental and emotional well-being. The holidays are stressful, so keeping connections strong is important but it is particularly important around the holiday season. Nurturing connections can make a big difference in your sense of fulfillment and happiness during the stress of the holiday season.

The shift to retirement can affect us in various ways, especially when it comes to social life. For many of us, work provided daily interaction with people we called friends, when we retire those connections may fade. When we lose these connections there is a gap. Regular social interactions help protect us from depression, reduce our stress, and keep our mind sharp. A strong social network where we can engage with others, share stories, and create memories contributes to a richer, healthier life, bringing comfort, joy, and stability to you.

The holiday season offers the perfect opportunity to rekindle connections and build new ones. If possible, you could host a small get-together with family or friends to celebrate, whether it’s a dinner, a movie night, or a simple afternoon tea. If gathering in person isn’t feasible, plan a video call with your loved ones. You could even arrange virtual activities, like decorating cookies together or opening gifts on screen. This was a popular option during the lockdown caused by COVID, perhaps it still has a place when families cannot be together. My daughter and her family live in Australia, so we get to celebrate a Zoom Xmas with them on the 25^th their time, but it is the 24^th our time. So, the benefit is we get two days of Christmas.

My senior center has a Christmas lunch, as well as choir singing and many other festive activities before Christmas. We are not alone  as there are many community centers and churches that host seasonal gatherings, performances, and dinners. If you join in these events you will be welcome and it is a great way to meet new people and feel connected to your community.

In my local community Facebook group, someone new to the community asked about how to volunteer over the holidays. Participating in holiday charity events is meaningful way to connect with others and make a positive impact. Volunteering can add a new purpose to the holiday season and introduce you to others with similar interests.

Social aspects of moving into a group retirement home

When considering whether to move into a group retirement house or stay in their own home, we should weigh the following factors:

Moving to a Group Retirement House

• Group retirement houses offer daily social activities that can combat isolation and loneliness.
• We can enjoy a vibrant social life with opportunities to make friends and engage in various activities.
• A group retirement house can provide a better environment if the current home or neighbourhood is no longer suitable, such as when the house feels too big, life becomes hectic or loud, or there are security concerns.

Staying in Their Own Home (Aging in Place)

• We can maintain a greater degree of autonomy and control over our own daily lives, including routines, home modifications, and care arrangements.
• Remaining at home can be more cost-effective, especially for those who have paid off their mortgages or have affordable housing arrangements.
• We may prefer to receive care at home, especially if we have a support system of family and friends who can help with care needs.
• Many seniors have strong emotional ties to their homes and communities, making it difficult to leave familiar surroundings and support systems.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on individual preferences, lifestyle needs, social desires, home suitability, and support system availability. It's important for us to carefully consider these factors before making a decision.

Get to know your community again

 Yesterday I talked about connecting with your community. For many of us transitioning into retirement can be a significant life change, and one of the crucial aspects for new retirees is reconnecting with their community. Experts stress the societal impact of this issue and highlight the importance of community engagement and personal outreach in facilitating a smooth adjustment to this new phase of life.

Recognizing the challenges new retirees face in reestablishing connections, the best approach is to make encouraging and simple yet meaningful acts. Striking up conversations with neighbours, whether it's a casual chat over the fence or a friendly greeting during a morning walk, can become a pivotal step in breaking the ice. These small steps contribute to fostering a sense of belonging and community, addressing the potential isolation that some retirees may experience.

In addition to casual conversations, personal outreach plays a vital role in ensuring that individuals do not feel alone or disconnected. Initiatives such as neighbourhood welcome committees, where established residents introduce themselves and offer to help, can go a long way in making newcomers feel integrated. These outreach efforts extend beyond a simple welcome, involving invitations to community events, clubs, or activities that align with the interests of the retirees.

The National Institute of Ageing report underscores the need for collective efforts in building connections. Community organizations, local government, and residents all have roles to play in creating an inclusive environment for new retirees. Establishing programs that facilitate social interactions, such as community potlucks, book clubs, or volunteer opportunities, can serve as platforms for retirees to engage with others and contribute to the community.

Furthermore, the importance of mental and emotional well-being for older individuals in Canada is stressed. Social connections have been linked to improved mental health, reduced feelings of loneliness, and overall well-being. By actively encouraging community engagement, society can contribute to the health and independence of retirees, ensuring they have a strong support system during this phase of life.

In conclusion, recognizing the challenges that new retirees face in getting to know their community again, experts advocate for collective efforts emphasizing community engagement and personal outreach. By fostering connections through simple acts and organized initiatives, neighbours can play an important  role in ensuring the health, happiness, and independence of older individuals in Canada.

Loneliness and social isolation revisited

 Amidst Canada's evolving demographic landscape marked by an increasing aging population, the National Institute of Ageing (NIA) has highlighted the challenges posed by loneliness and social isolation, particularly among older individuals. According to a recent report, approximately 41% of Canadians aged 50 and above are at risk of social isolation, with 58% experiencing loneliness. The report emphasizes the significant impact of these issues on both mental and physical health, likening the health risks to smoking 15 cigarettes daily.

Despite these concerns, the report also sheds light on positive factors contributing to well-being among older Canadians. The presence of family ties, especially life partners and children, has been identified as a crucial element in protecting against social isolation and loneliness. Additionally, higher levels of education, income security, and better health status are associated with lower levels of loneliness.

While the challenges of social isolation and loneliness are prevalent, the report suggests practical solutions, advocating for a national strategy to address the issue. Drawing inspiration from initiatives in the United Kingdom and Japan, the recommendation includes the creation of social prescribing programs, where doctors can prescribe activities aligned with patients' interests, fostering new connections and promoting overall well-being.

In recognizing the societal impact of this issue, experts emphasize the importance of community engagement and personal outreach. Encouraging simple acts like striking up conversations with neighbours or reaching out to those who may be isolated, the report underscores the need for collective efforts to build connections and ensure the health and independence of older individuals in Canada.

Adverse effect on your health, loniliness and isolation

 Lack of social ties and interaction with others, whether in person or by communication technology, is referred to as “social isolation.” It may be forced or voluntary, physical or psychological.

Being cut off from others and feeling dissatisfied with one’s connections are two subjective feelings that are referred to as “loneliness.” Even when there are other people around, it can still happen because of social isolation or other problems, including a lack of fulfilling relationships or meaningful connections.

Living alone, having little social support, or having limited mobility are just a few of the risk factors that can lead to social isolation and loneliness. These conditions frequently go hand in hand. Age and certain physical or mental health issues might also affect an individual’s risk of social isolation and loneliness.

Both loneliness and social isolation can have an adverse effect on a person’s physical and mental health, increasing their risk for chronic illnesses, depressive and anxiety disorders, cognitive decline, and a lower quality of life. In order to enhance health and well-being, it is crucial to address both social isolation and loneliness.

We need a multifaceted strategy to address social isolation and loneliness. Here are some initiatives societies can do to lessen these problems:

• By developing community activities, volunteer opportunities, or even just by encouraging people to spend time with friends and family, one can encourage social bonds and community building.
• Promote the use of communication technologies to connect individuals with one another, particularly for those who are physically isolated.
• Developing or promoting programs for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and people who have recently gone through a significant life transition, like relocating to a new place. These are just a few examples of the support programmes and services that are aimed at people who are at risk of social isolation and loneliness.
• By promoting public awareness and education regarding the detrimental effects of loneliness and social isolation. 
• By fostering a society that is more inclusive and accepting, we can encourage people to ask for help and support.

Policies that support diversity and inclusion, as well as situations where everyone feels respected and accepted, can help foster a culture of inclusion and belonging.  It’s critical to keep in mind that combating social isolation and loneliness requires a team effort, and everyone has a part to play.

 

A research review of seniors, isolation, and best practices in service provision

There is no doubt that while the need for and benefits of social connections and inclusion is clear for seniors, there are considerations in providing services to this group. A literature review that was part of a study on seniors and the impacts of leisure activity12 highlighted the following challenges:

·        Connecting to services

·        Perception of barriers to participation e.g., clothing, funding

·        Factors that contribute to social isolation such as loss, poor physical health, low morale,

·        being a caregiver, geographic isolation, and transportation difficulties are often beyond the

·        socially isolated person's control and therefore not obviously susceptible to improvement. Thus

·        designing effective interventions to address the problem may be difficult.

There have been numerous interventions implemented worldwide, but few systematic reviews have been done to assess the effectiveness of these interventions in addressing social isolation in seniors. In fact, research evidence to support the belief that intervention can counteract social isolation and its adverse effects on older people is almost non-existent. While research confirming the effectiveness of interventions is not easily available – what is clear are the positive benefits of social inclusion. Evidence consistently supports the idea that out of home activity levels affect health status, well-being and survival in old age. “Disengagement from out of home activities is associated with declines in cognitive functioning among elderly persons"

The core principles of the Canadian National Framework on Aging, developed through an extensive consultation with seniors and other stakeholders, provide a solid foundation on which to build programs:

·        Dignity: being treated with respect, regardless of the situation and having a sense of self esteem

·        Independence: being in control of one's life, being able to do as much as possible and making one's own choice

·        Participation: getting involved, staying active and taking part n the community, being consulted and having one's views considered by Government

·        Fairness: having seniors real needs in all their diversity, considered equally those of other Canadians

·        Security: having adequate income as one ages and having access to a sage and supportive living environment

A study done in 1998 identified the following characteristics of effective interventions:

·        Participation in group activities

·        Targeting common groups e.g., women, the widowed, retired firefighters,

·        Using more than one method of intervention and those that are effective across a broad range of

·        outcomes

·        Allowing participants some level of control

·        Ensuring the evaluation fits the intervention and includes a process evaluation

The effectiveness of various interventions with isolated seniors. These included one-on-one intervention, telephone support, gatekeeper programs, group interventions of teleconferencing, support provision, Internet groups, and support groups. While there was not enough commonality in the types of interventions to consider the results conclusive, the authors felt the results could provide guidelines for Future Development. They confirmed that it is very important to:

·        Have high-quality approaches to the selection, training and support of the facilitator or

·        coordinators of the intervention

·        Involve older people in the planning implementation and evaluation stages

·        Use existing community resources and build capacity

·        Evaluate and disseminate the research

It is difficult to quantify the exact number of isolated seniors in a community however in a survey of the empirical literature published between 1948 and 1991it was found that between 2 and 20 percent of people over the age of 65 were socially isolated.

In Halton, the ESAC Quality of Life Report for Seniors in Halton used national data to identify those levels of social support decline with age, and up to 8% of seniors have no close relatives and 14% no close friends putting them at risk of becoming isolated.

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

Seniors and Social Isolation: A Complex Issue 1

 Social isolation can be defined as less social contact than an individual wish and that may lead to negative outcomes such as poor health loneliness or other emotional distress.

As the proportion of older people in the population increases and more life alone, the problem of social isolation among this age group is a growing concern (World Health Organization 2002). It is widely accepted that social support has a strong protective effect on health. The prevailing belief, as stated by the World Health Organization, is that social isolation and exclusion are associated with “increased rates of premature death, lower general well-being, more depression, and a higher level of disability from chronic diseases”. This is echoed by studies that show social isolation has predictors such as poor perceived health, a higher number of chronic illnesses and compromised mental health.

Seniors clearly value their social relationships as those 65 and over “consistently rank relationships with family and friends second only to health as the most important area of life”. Not all socially isolated seniors experience negative consequences, and some seniors may prefer to be alone and do not experience loneliness. This statement, found in the literature review “Social Isolation Among Seniors: An Emerging Issue, An Investigation by the Children’s, Women’s and Seniors Health Branch of the British Columbia Ministry of Health, March 2004”, points out that social isolation is not a straightforward issue and those providing services cannot make easy assumptions about causes or relationships. The investigative review provides an in-depth look at seniors and isolation and is helpful for those who want a greater understanding of the prevalence of social isolation in older persons, its risk factors and the relationship between isolation and loneliness in seniors.

A research review of seniors, isolation, and best practises in service provision designed to address social isolation, supporting seniors' strengths, enhancing social networks, removing barriers to social participation and fostering social inclusion will have positive impacts for both the individual and society.

The researchers studied Canadian data to profile individual and social characteristics and situations that make seniors vulnerable to isolation. Their profile of seniors most likely to experience social exclusion indicated that they:

·        Are older

·        Live in urban areas

·        Have no partner

·        Have activity limitations due to health

·        Were born outside of Canada

·        Have lower levels of education

The investigation by the Children's, Women's and Senior's Health Branch of the British Columbia Ministry of Health: Social Isolation Among Seniors: An Emerging Issue, supports the above and provides some further considerations about factors relating to social isolation and loneliness including:

·        Gender: women's tendency to outlive male partners and other family members and their role as caretakers place them at greater risk, however when studies controlled for the additive risk factors that disproportionately affect women, several studies found the opposite: that greater loneliness was expressed by men

·        Loss of a spouse or “intimate relationship” is a strong determinant of both loneliness and

·        Aging: several researchers have found loneliness to be a correlate of aging itself and that there was a gradual increase in loneliness until age 90 and then it levelled off

·        Transportation Issues: driving status and transportation have an effect on loneliness and social isolation of the elderly because they facilitate access to the social network.

These factors, while they help shine a light on seniors who are vulnerable to isolation, should not be considered as definitive causes. The authors cite a “chicken and egg” effect between isolation and the risk factors and emphasize that risk factor is just that – factors that may put someone at risk of loneliness or isolation.

Housing Solutions for Social Isolation.

The idea for this workshop came from "Tech-enhanced life" and I have talked of this before in earlier posts, but I think it is still relevant as we move into a year of perfect vision.

Some exceptional opportunities in housing can help fight isolation and loneliness among seniors.  Particularly as grow older, housing options affect our physical and our mental wellbeing.

Some of the options being explored in some jurisdictions may have hope for those who are on their own. Some of these are:

All-age residential hotels.  The idea of ‘all-age’ living facilities, compared to more age-segregated communities is a good idea for seniors.  More specifically, there is an atmosphere of more powerful energy, as well as the increased opportunities to connect with different ages and learn new things than in a segregated community.    

Accessory unit rentals.  As our family situations change, because of age, our current house could become too big us.  Accessory units (or ‘granny units’) on the property can be rented out, or maybe separate living quarters can be made of current house space.  Housing rental could also be exchanged for home maintenance, help, and companionship.  Graduate students would be good candidates for this option. This would require cities to approve zoning changes and there might have to be some screening set up to protect seniors, but it might work and keep people in their homes longer.

Co-housing.  is where residents (old and young) share living facilities.  The benefits for older adults are shared help, companionship and contact with younger generations.  However, such facilities are few in a number of areas, and efforts need to be made to ensure residents are harmonious with each other.