Staying connected as we age
Across Canada, many older adults experience social isolation and loneliness. Seniors often face a number of barriers that prevent meaningful social connections. Limited income, reduced mobility, a lack of access to technology – not to mention our long winters – all present challenges.
Recent studies have shown how dangerous the absence of meaningful human connection can be on our health. In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General said the health risks of chronic loneliness are comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. Isolated seniors are also at greater risk for stroke, heart disease, anxiety, depression and dementia.
But aging doesn’t have to mean losing our social connections. Actively staying a part of our communities, in person and online, benefits our physical and mental well-being and reduces the risk of disability and premature death. Social engagement can look like volunteering, learning or sharing skills, getting active, expressing creativity and building community with others.
It doesn’t have to cost anything, either. There are free programs and workshops available throughout the province that offer opportunities for older Nova Scotians to enjoy the company of others. Local libraries, community centres and post-secondary institutions also offer free film screenings, lectures and live performances.
In northern Nova Scotia, the Keep Well Antigonish Exercise and Wellness Program aims to help those 55 and older stay healthy, fit and engaged in the community. The program offers three sessions each year (fall, winter and spring), with options for in-person or interactive online classes. Try out general fitness, Nia or chair yoga classes. Seniors with mobility or health conditions are welcomed and supported.
On the south shore, the Youth and Elders Together (YET) Program at the Centre for Environmental Justice in Shelburne fosters intergenerational connections and encourages healthy active lifestyles for older adults and youth aged 15 to 24. With a focus on building bridges within the local African Nova Scotian community and supporting the local economy, the program includes sessions such as Farm to Table, Walk and Talk, Games Night and Our Digital World.
In the Acadian community of Church Point, Le Conseil des arts de la Baie, or Le CAB, offers supportive and creative workshops for those 55 and older. Seniors are encouraged to connect with others while exploring their artistic potential at Atelier La Manivelle, an artist-run printmaking studio on the campus of Université Sainte-Anne. Art supplies are included and no experience is needed.
In Cape Breton, Victoria County’s Seniors Safety Program offers workshops that use laughter to manage chronic pain. Free meals are included. Try out sessions focusing on
· cognitive behavioural therapy
The Centre of Rural Aging and Health (CORAH) at the Nova Scotia Community College offers social, cultural, learning and recreational programs designed to reduce isolation and promote healthy living and connections for people 55 and older. Activities include chair and yin yoga, functional fitness, meditation, foot care, and arts and crafts. CORAH programs are available at the Middleton, Shelburne and Port Hawkesbury campuses.
For more options for seniors to stay connected at any time of year, check out local community listings, newsletters, library bulletin boards or call 211 from anywhere in the province.