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National Seniors Council to further examine social isolation of seniors
March 12, 2015 – Gatineau, Quebec – Employment and Social Development Canada
The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), today announced the new priority for the National Seniors Council (NSC). The NSC will build on its work from 2013/14 and further examine barriers that prevent communities and seniors from reaching out to each other. It will also consider ways to encourage and facilitate communities to establish meaningful contact with socially isolated seniors in their neighborhoods.
Over the past year, the NSC met with seniors and key players from the non-profit, public and private sectors across Canada to assess how social isolation affects seniors. In October 2014, the NSC released the report “Social Isolation of Seniors.” The report provides a summary of the consultation findings as well as measures to help address this social issue.
Minister Wong reiterated to the members of the NSC the importance of continuing their work with local communities and stakeholders to reduce social isolation, a complex and pervasive, but preventable issue.
The Government of Canada is committed to supporting and promoting seniors’ ongoing health, well-being and contributions by encouraging seniors to stay active, engaged and informed, but social isolation can leave seniors vulnerable.
Quick Facts
- In 2008, 19 percent of Canadians aged 65 or over felt a lack of companionship, left out or isolated from others.
- Approximately 50 percent of people over the age of 80 report feeling lonely.
- Since 2007, the NSC released six reports on issues related to seniors. They are available online at http://www.seniorscouncil.gc.ca/eng/research_publications/index.shtml.
- The Government of Canada has provided more than $1.7 million in New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) funding support for 24 NHSP pilot projects across Canada that will lead to new initiatives and activities that help reduce the social isolation of seniors.
- The NSC was established in 2007 by the Government of Canada to provide advice on the overall well-being of seniors, both now and in the future.
- The NSC advises on matters related to the well-being and quality of life of seniors, including the opportunities and challenges arising from a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse population of seniors.
Quote
“The social isolation of seniors can leave seniors vulnerable. It’s for that reason the Government of Canada is committed to supporting and promoting seniors’ ongoing health, well-being and contributions by encouraging seniors to stay active, engaged and informed.”
– The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)
Related Products
- Report on the Social Isolation of Seniors
- Minister Wong meets with National Seniors Council and holds roundtable on social isolation of seniors
- Recent Appointments to the National Seniors Council [March 3, 2015]