Connecting With Ontario Seniors: Moving from Social Isolation to Social Inclusion

Date: April 24 2018

Presenters:

• Bonnie Schroeder, MSW, RSW – Age-Friendly Ottawa Director, The Council on Aging of Ottawa
• Rachel Sutcliffe, BSW , B.Ed. – Seniors’ Centre Without Walls Coordinator, The Good Companions 
• Nancy Angus, Community Connector & GIANTs Lead

“The social isolation of seniors can cause communities to suffer a lack of social cohesion, higher social costs, and the loss of an unquantifiable wealth of experience that older adults bring to our families, neighbourhoods, and communities.” (Stats Canada, 2016). Reaching out to socially isolated older adults requires us to rethink our traditional service and program delivery methods. 

During this webinar, Bonnie Schroeder reviewed why older adults are isolated and how this isolation differs from loneliness and solitude. Rachel Sutcliffe presented findings from an Ottawa-based program entitled “Seniors Centre Without Walls”. Nancy Angus concluded the presentation by describing the “Grand Individuals Aging with Neighbours in Thunder Bay” (GIANTS) program.