Social Isolation

What is Social Isolation?

Social isolation describes a situation where someone doesn’t have very many social contacts and feels lonely.

As people age, they often find themselves spending more time alone. This is not just a social problem—it can affect our well-being and our mental and physical health. Everyone needs social contact to stay healthy.

Health Impacts of Social Isolation

Loneliness and social isolation in older adults can lead to
  • Frailty
  • Malnutrition
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Early death
  • A decrease in physical ability
  • A decrease in mental ability
  • An increase in habits such as drinking, smoking, and spending too much time sitting
Socially isolated older adults have
  • a higher likelihood of falls
  • a four-to-five times greater risk of going into hospital
  • a 50% higher risk of dementia

Adults who are socially isolated have longer hospital stays and end up back in the hospital more often than those with meaningful and supportive social connections.

Research also shows that loneliness is connected to health conditions such as higher blood pressure, heart disease, inflammation, and obesity.

Understanding and preventing social isolation and loneliness is good way to improve older adults’ physical and mental health.

Why is Social Isolation a Challenge for Older Adults?

As we age, many things can happen that can make us less socially active:
  • Physical limits—moving around becomes more difficult
  • Hearing and vision loss
  • Chronic health conditions—often more than one
  • The loss of family and friends
  • Separation from long-term friends and family because of moving into a care home or retirement community

How to Protect Against Social Isolation

Who is Most at Risk of Social Isolation?

Researchers have studied social isolation and found that certain situations and behaviours put some people more at risk.

Social isolation is a bigger problem for older adults who face challenging life and health situations, such as people who:

  • Live alone;
  • Don’t have the language skills needed to find and get services;
  • Lack access to transportation, health, and community services;
  • Lack access to support because they are physical isolated;
  • Live with low income;
  • Lack safe, secure housing;
  • Have more than one chronic health problem;
  • Are members of vulnerable communities such as immigrant, LGBTQ+, or Indigenous;
  • Have lower levels of formal education;
  • Experience life transitions such as retirement, death of a spouse, or losing a driver’s license;
  • Are caregivers.

How to Help

Friends, family members, and caregivers can play a role in preventing social isolation. If you see someone you care about becoming socially isolated, you can help:

  • Spend time with them
  • Connect them to activities and programs in the community
  • If you can, let them know you are available for practical support like mowing the lawn, taking them to a medical appointment, or being on-call for emergencies
  • Use the resources listed below or ask people in the neighbourhood what’s available, and share this information
Follow-Up is Essential

Your help can be more effective if you stay involved. Don’t just tell someone about a resource—hand them the phone and sit with them while they call. Or drive them to an event. Check in with later them to ask if they’ve followed up on a suggestion, signed up for a program, or made an appointment. Talk to them a few weeks later to see if they’ve continued. This will help turn information into action.

The Power of Community

Most of us are familiar with the saying, “It takes a community to raise a child.” People are also learning that it takes a community to keep our older adults healthy. Just stopping to chat with a  neighbour can make a difference.

Social Isolation by the Numbers

1 in 1
Number of Canadians say they are lonely
1%
of older adults experience loneliness
1%
of people over the age of 80 report feeling lonely
1%
of adults 65 years or older and living in the community suffer from depression
1%
of adults 65 or older living in residential care have been diagnosed with depression or showed symptoms of depression without diagnosis

Tinkering Together: Men’s Sheds Combat Social Isolation

You might not think of a shed as a healthcare location, but an international movement called ‘Men’s Sheds’ is proving that getting together to tinker, make stuff, and just hang out has health benefits.

Men’s Sheds have taken off in British Columbia, with over 65 Men’s Sheds around the Province. The movement is growing, with new sheds popping up, especially in rural areas. Evidence is also growing, supporting Men’s Sheds as a way to combat social isolation and thus improve mental and physical health for older men.

What is a Men’s Shed?

These community non-profit initiatives use the word ‘shed’ mainly in spirit. ‘Shedders,’ as they are called, can meet in any informal place to share skills, work on projects, and talk.

Once established, Men’s Shed groups often take on community projects like making public benches, frames for garden beds, or accessibility ramps. But not all shed activity is trades-and-tools oriented. Sheds also host cooking, music, and anything that members want to do.

History of Men’s Sheds

The Men’s Shed movement began in Australia in 1993. Founder Maxine Chaseling noticed her father struggling to mentally and emotionally recover from a heart attack. He didn’t enjoy organized activities at the local community centre, preferring to work in his shed. Eventually, other men joined him, taking on small woodworking projects and fixing lawn mowers for neighbours.

Chaseling saw that shed culture could offer a much-needed meeting place for older men. With her initial impetus, Men’s Sheds sprang up all over Australia and then around the world. There are now over 3000 Men’s Sheds globally.

Men’s Sheds and Men’s Health

Men are more likely than women to be socially isolated. Social isolation is linked with many health problems, from heart issues to stroke, dementia, and depression. Also, people who are socially isolated do not live as long as those with good social networks.

Men make up 75% of all suicide deaths overall, and 80 – 85% in older age groups. They account for up to 75% of substance use disorder diagnoses (addiction). Yet only 30% of people who seek professional help are men, and men are less likely than women to participate in organized community programs. Older men are particularly vulnerable because after retirement, loss of social identity and a sense of purpose contribute to depression and loneliness.

Men’s Sheds aim to overcome these barriers by offering a shared activity that feels natural and reflects traditional ways of gathering.  Sheds are self-organized, casual, and open to anyone.

A 2018 study by the United Kingdom Men’s Sheds Association showed that, due to participating in a Men’s Shed:

1%
of ‘shedders’ felt less anxiety, and
1%
felt less depression

As well, other research shows a rise in self esteem.

Men’s Sheds also offer a place for men to get health information, whether through informal conversation at a workbench, or via information stands and health news shared on online social networks connected to the shed.

Starting a Men’s Shed

Anyone can start a Men’s Shed. Sheds are a grassroots movement based on mutual aid. Experienced Shedders are happy to provide advice and support to anyone interested in creating a shed. There are no hard and fast rules, and every shed can be unique, reflecting the desires, needs, and vision of the founders and the community.

Men’s Sheds Canada has a page full of information, including a Canadian Tool Kit, for starting a shed.

Major funders including the United Way and Help Age Canada have recognized Men’s Sheds and offered start-up grants and other funding. The Men’s Shed Association of BC offers current information on grants, samples of successful grant applications, as well help creating a grant proposal. Also, you can contact this organization to be put in touch with other men’s sheds, learn about events, find mentors, and connect to online men’s sheds networks.

Learn More

Resources

BC 211

  • View website
  • 211 British Columbia is a free, confidential service that connects people to helpful resources in their community. It operates all day and night and provides advice in over 240 languages.
  • Call 2-1-1 anytime, or go to their website to search their on-line directory.

Social Connections (Community Resources for Seniors)

  • View website
  • This Province of British Columbia website provides links to places and programs that help older adults find social connection. It includes libraries, volunteer opportunities, sports associations, cultural centres, and more.

Pathways Community Services Directory

  • This website lets you search for health and community programs according to your location
  • View directory

55+ BC Games

  • The 55+ BC Games, formerly the BC Seniors Games, give those aged 55+ the chance to compete in events ranging from dragon-boating and ice hockey to cribbage and one-act plays
  • Learn More

HealthLinkBC: Build Positive Relationships

HealthLinkBC: Social Connections

Canadian Frailty Network: Interact

  • Explores the connection between loneliness and frailty and provides recommendations
  • Learn More

Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia

Aboriginal Friendship Centres

B.C. Elders Communication Society

  • An organization dedicated to ensuring that B.C.’s First Nations Elders all know that they are valued, that their legacy will be preserved, and that their feelings and culture matter
  • View website

Keeping Our Nlakapamux Elders at Home

  • Read about an initiative to keep elders engaged in their community
  • Learn More

QMUNITY

  • A British Columbia organization dedicated to improving queer, trans, and Two-Spirit lives through services, connection, and leadership
  • Learn More