DID YOU KNOW

25 per cent of Canadian seniors live alone, but there lies a little-documented population within that demographic that live in acute isolation.

To have nobody means to have no children, spouse or friend still alive. It is to have no church group to belong to, no neighbour to eat a sandwich with or sibling to come over.

Elder orphans are people who are 65 and older with no living spouse or children; including single people who are physically and/or socially isolated, geographically isolated seniors in rural areas, linguistically isolated seniors who don’t speak English or French, and physically isolated people who are immobile.

These seniors often live in cities but are not mobile enough to leave home. In some cases, they have no internet. They get caught in cyclical loneliness. They may not even open their doors and walk down to get the mail. Who knows if they’re getting regular meals? Who knows if they’re getting exercise, if they’re mobile...

Findings show that 22 per cent of North American seniors are at risk of becoming one. It is our responsibility as a community to sit down and think of ways to take care of our seniors.

Volunteer our time. Volunteer our services. Or even just sit and chat over tea once a week. Please help our Elder orphan seniors not feel isolated any longer.