New Guidelines to Deal With Social Isolation

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Loneliness and social isolation can feel like invisible barriers separating older adults from the vibrant, connected lives they deserve. More than just emotions, these feelings can impact both mental and physical health. Canada’s first-ever clinical guidelines from the Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health (CCSMH) offers a roadmap for tackling these challenges.

Loneliness is that aching feeling of disconnection, even when surrounded by people. Social isolation, on the other hand, is the actual lack of social contact or relationships. Here’s the surprising part: you can feel lonely even in a crowd or be socially isolated but not feel lonely at all. Even more surprising to most might be the effect social isolation has on health. According to U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, poor or insufficient social connection increases the risk of heart disease by 29 percent, stroke by 32 percent, and the risk of developing dementia in older age by 50 percent.  The National Institute on Aging has noted that prolonged isolation is equivilent to the effects of smoking 15 cigarettes each day. Social isolation also increases the risk of a premature death by more than 60 percent.

Unfortunately, the numbers don’t lie. Nearly 58% of Canadians over 50 say they’ve experienced loneliness, and 41% are at risk of social isolation. These issues have only grown worse in recent years, especially during the pandemic. The good news? These feelings aren’t permanent, and there are ways to address them.

The new guidelines focus on simple, practical ways to address loneliness and isolation. Here’s what they suggest:

1. Start with Awareness
   Recognizing the risks is the first step. Events like retirement, losing a loved one, or even mobility challenges can make older adults feel disconnected. Professionals – and family members – can take small steps to help prevent this by staying tuned in to changes in a person’s life. Even when families are geographically distant, staying in touch with the help of technologies like FaceTime or Zoom can help.
2. Check In Regularly
   If someone seems withdrawn or mentions feeling lonely, it might be time to dig a little deeper. Tools exist to help gauge someone’s social health, but even a heartfelt conversation can make a difference. Ask questions like, “How are you staying connected these days?” or understanding how often a person goes to the grocery store, visits the hair salon or puts themselves in situations where there are other people and potential conversations can be helpful.
3. Tailor Solutions to the Individual
   Everyone’s different, so what works for one person may not work for another. The guidelines suggest a range of solutions, including:
   • Getting active: Joining group exercise classes or local clubs.
   • Finding joy in hobbies: Exploring art, gardening, or learning a new skill.
   • Spending time with animals: Whether it’s a pet or animal-assisted therapy, furry friends can help reduce loneliness.
   • Using technology: Teaching older adults to use video calls, social media, or apps to stay in touch.
   • Social prescribing: Helping connect someone to community resources like senior centers or volunteer opportunities.
4. Keep the Conversation Going
   Just like physical health, social well-being needs regular check-ins. It’s important to revisit what’s working and what’s not, tweaking plans to make sure they’re still meaningful and effective.

A Shared Responsibility

Loneliness isn’t just an individual problem – it’s a community one. We can all play a part in creating a more connected society:

• Caregivers: Can listen, support, and encourage activities that bring joy.
• Health professionals: Can treat loneliness as a key factor in overall health.
• Communities: Can foster welcoming spaces and events that invite older adults to connect.
• Neighbours: Can meet each other, check in with one another and learn to recognize when something is happening that isn’t routine for a neighbour.

Why This Matters

Loneliness doesn’t have to be part of growing older. With the right tools and support, we can help older adults rediscover connection and purpose. These guidelines remind us that even small actions—like a phone call, a walk with a friend, or an invitation to join a local group – can make a world of difference.

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