Social Isolation
The Canadian population is aging and in 2013 Canadian seniors made up approximately 15% of the total population. By 2036 this number is expected to increase by 23-25%. Research shows that an estimated 30% of Canadian seniors are at risk of becoming socially isolated.
Older adults are at an increased risk of loneliness and social isolation due to living alone, the loss of partners, relatives, close friends and the challenge of health issues. Social isolation is a growing problem among our older adults which needs to be addressed. Loneliness is defined as “perceived social isolation”. Most people experience this, because of feeling disconnected.
Social isolation among our older adults is a serious health concern. Research shows living with air pollution increases your odds of dying early by 5 percent. Living with obesity; 20 percent. Excessive drinking; 30 percent and living with LONELINESS? - it increases our odds of dying by 45 percent (Lunstad, Smith and Layton).
Social relationships are important to everyone. They are even more important when you are an older person. A study conducted by Harvard University on what constitutes happiness is a strong voice that specifies that happiness is not based on what wealth or status you carry, but on the quality of your social relationships.
The study showed that looking at a person’s quality of social relationships will provide strong indicators of how well they age.
