Senior isolation at a seasonal high
COVID-19 has been tough on seniors dealing with isolation and now with the cold weather and the snow settling in, it's going to be downright difficult for those grappling with being alone.
Parkside Centre for Seniors manager John Richer said it's something that needs to be taken seriously.
"It's a very serious issue, you know the impacts it has on people's health, physical and mental well being are very serious and it does speed up the decline in people, as well," said Richer.
Richer said they've been talking about senior isolation since he started at the facility more than 17 years ago.
They're currently working with Home Instead's 'Be a Santa to a Senior' program in hopes of ensuring no one is forgotten about this Holiday season.
"There are still a lot of people who aren't comfortable going back out into the community yet so we're still trying hard to reach those people with our Parkside Centre without Walls," he said.
Another group working to combat senior isolation is Meals On Wheels Sudbury, whose volunteers work to make sure everyone gets a warm meal.
"Maybe they've been vaccinated, maybe they haven't but they still need to stay at home, they're still feeling alone," said executive director Shannon Ketchabaw. "The idea of getting a hug from somebody isn't even happening for them. Yes, with family, but family isn't always there."
Advocates are hoping people will look out for each other this Holiday season and keep an eye on your neighbours.
"Cause seniors, like everyone else, are all social beings, even that contact by telephone, if it's possible occasionally to have a visit from someone, perhaps a relative or someone that's concerned, to spend that little bit of time because that is important," said Friendly to Seniors president John Lindsay.
A federal report found social isolation can lead to depression, loneliness, alcoholism and social anxiety.
It also found socially isolated seniors are more at risk of negative health behaviours like drinking, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle.
Be a Santa to a Senior runs until Dec. 10.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.