The loneliness epidemic is an increasing problem among older adults across the country. However, combatting social isolation includes socializing, volunteering, and participating in community events.
Social isolation can significantly harm older adults’ mental and physical well-being. This shouldn’t be taken lightly. More than one-fifth of the Canadian population is projected to be older than 65 by the early 2030s, according to a report released by the National Innovation Hub last year.
Jocelyn Rempel, the chair in older adult health at Mount Royal University, thinks social isolation is an under-addressed issue in older adults despite its well-known detrimental health effects.
She likens it to smoking around 15 cigarettes a day.
Overcoming loneliness
“Isolation or loneliness can have a significant impact on your ongoing health functioning,” said Rempel. “As you age, you go through a lot of different transitions in life and naturally become more isolated.”
One way to prevent isolation is to be part of a community or a club. Many long-term residences offer opportunities for senior adults to get involved.
Aspen Heights Retirement Residence in Calgary offers independent and assisted living options.
Norreen Baker, 87, has lived in the independent wing of Aspen Heights since moving in two years ago.
She says participating in activities in the residence and surrounding community has helped her avoid feelings of isolation.
“When you’re connected with the people around you, it makes it easier to just live,” said Baker.
All Seniors Care Living Centres own Aspen Heights.
The residence participates in the annual All Seniors Care Senior Games, which brings together residents from facilities across the country and includes competitions in ladder ball, bean bag toss, bocci, and even Jeopardy.
Baker always looks forward to participating. She says the 2025 Seniors Games were memorable.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek made a special appearance at the awards ceremony at the end of the games.
Many residents, including Baker, received medals for their accomplishments during the games.
“I led a group walking the halls,” said Baker, noting that there were medallions and ribbons given to participants. Baker walked her group through each of the four stories at the Aspen Heights residence, receiving a sticker at each floor. And there were more prizes to go around.
“There was a gold trophy, a silver trophy and a bronze trophy. Just like the Olympics!” said Baker.
Pat and George Deegan, a couple who live together at Aspen Heights, say getting involved in their residential community came naturally to them.
George, 87, has been a longtime member of the Rotary Club of Calgary.
His wife, Pat, 86, is a member of the Rotary Partners Club, a group of spouses and partners of Rotary Club members.
The Partners Club assisted in coordinating the 2025 Seniors Games in February at Aspen Heights.
Pat participated in the festivities by cheerleading alongside Baker during the Senior Games.
“It was really fun!” said Pat.
Gratitude for connection
The Deegans are grateful for the connections they’ve made through Rotary. They think their experiences taught them the importance of building a community wherever you live, including in their new retirement residence.
Toby Oswald-Felker, a coordinator of the Rotary Partners Program, acknowledges that aging isn’t easy. However, she says that being surrounded by others can make it easier.
“When activities are going on you can just see people being lighter on their feet and happier to be alive,” said Oswald-Felker.
When they moved from Winnipeg to Calgary in 1972, Pat and George knew only a couple of people. But Pat said they never felt isolated because of the lifelong friendships they’ve made through Rotary.
Moving to a new city was difficult, but through her Rotary connections, Pat met the lady who lived above them in the apartment complex they moved into in 1972.
“I met the lady living upstairs and we’ve been friends ever since,” Pat said.
A sense of belonging
The Rotary network has also created a sense of belonging at Aspen Heights.
“The lady next door is a Rotarian and Rotary Partner, and we play bridge together. So immediately we made friends and we never looked back,” said Pat.
Every week, Pat organizes the bingo at Aspen Heights. She plays and enjoys the company every time.
Baker appreciates being able to participate in the events and activities in Aspen Heights and the surrounding community. She said the residence strikes a great balance of comfort and community.
“I wanted to enjoy life and enjoy the comforts of home, but also to enjoy other people as well,” said Baker.
Baker and the Deegans are grateful for the opportunities to socialize and maintain friendships in their golden years. They know their quality of life would not be the same without this sense of community.