Our Mission
Purpose
Social Isolation on Seniors
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, social isolation has caused many of us to feel much more confused, anxious, sad, and lonely than normal. However, this is just a glimpse of the daily life of 25% of seniors in Canada who live alone [living arrangements of seniors]. For most of us, quarantine and social isolation as a result of the pandemic, is simply an inconvenience. For residents at long term care homes, in addition to their regular lifestyles, it is life changing.
While the majority of the younger population have technology to stay in touch with friends and family, most seniors simply do not have the same resources or support systems. While communities are slowly starting to reopen, long term care homes are still in lockdown. The increased levels of social isolation on senior residents can not only cause emotional consequences, but also physical health repercussions. The senior residents are left in social isolation and cut off from almost all social interactions, while the world moves on without them.
Pen Pal Letter Program
How are we taking action?
This is where Smiles for Seniors comes in! We are a pen pal program with a mission to reduce the negative effects of social isolation on seniors, with or without the COVID-19 pandemic. Senior residents of long term care homes in the Niagara Region will have the opportunity to build long-lasting relationships with youth, through the safe method of letter writing.
After an application process, youth will be paired up with senior residents at local long term care homes to exchange letters with. The hope is that the youth participants and senior residents build strong friendships through the correspondence of letters.
Compassion, hope, and friendship are at the core of our organization. Smiles for Seniors’s success and ability to make a positive impact in people’s lives, can be attributed to the values that our program revolves around.
1
COMPASSION
Going to great extents to understand and sympathize with senior pen pal buddies. To look past our own individual needs, and dig deep to write supportive letters with true care.
2
HOPE AND FRIENDSHIP
Helping senior pen pal buddies to find the light in the dark, and looking at situations with a positive, forward thinking approach. A belief that we are all stronger together, and an effort to develop a tight knit connection with your senior buddy, for the greater good.
3
OPPORTUNITY
New opportunities such as learning, and feeling apart of new experiences without going through them. We want to give seniors a chance to hear about adventures that they may never be able to experience again ion their lifetime.
FACTS & STATISTICS
Effects of Social Isolation on Seniors
Several studies have shown that social isolation can have the following health effects on all ages:
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Depression
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Accelerated cognitive decline
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Poor cardiovascular function
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Impaired executive function (i.e. self-awareness, verbal working memory)
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Poor sleep quality
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Risk of premature death from every cause
Specifically with seniors, the reduced connection to other people can cause a higher risk of:
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heart disease
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stroke
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cognitive decline
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dementia
The risk of smoking 15 cigarettes a day is as dangerous to one’s health and wellbeing as being disconnected from others is, claims Julianne Holt-Lunstad from Brigham Young University.
According to Ottawa Citizen, research has been conducted in the United States that found a connection between socially isolated seniors and a 29% greater risk of death.
In 2018, researchers at the Florida State University College of Medicine found that loneliness is associated with a 40% increase in a person’s risk of dementia. The study was led by Angelina Sutin, PhD and examined data on more than 12,000 U.S. adults ages 50 years and older
In 2016, a study led by epidemiologist Nicole Valtort, PhD, Newcastle University linked loneliness to a 30% increase in risk of stroke or the development of coronary heart disease. "Lacking encouragement from family or friends, those who are lonely may slide into unhealthy habits," Valtorta says. "In addition, loneliness has been found to raise levels of stress, impede sleep and, in turn, harm the body. Loneliness can also augment depression or anxiety."
In 2011, Statistics Canada found that 25% of seniors above the age of 65+ lived alone
Loneliness is found to be “contagious,” as members of someone’s social circle can gain an extra day of loneliness per month with every additional day of loneliness per week of their loved one.
Sources
Campbell, Meagan. “Canada's Loneliest People.” Macleans.ca, 14 Aug. 2018, www.macleans.ca/society/canadas-loneliest-people/#:~:text=While%2025%20per%20cent%20of,no%20living%20spouse%20or%20children.
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Government of Canada. “Literature on the Social Isolation of the Different Groups of Seniors.” Canada.ca, 26 Apr. 2017, www.canada.ca/en/national-seniors-council/programs/publications-reports/2017/review-social-isolation-seniors.html.
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Government of Canada. “Report on the Social Isolation of Seniors.” Canada.ca, 20 July 2016, www.canada.ca/en/national-seniors-council/programs/publications-reports/2014/social-isolation-seniors/page05.html.
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Laucius, Joanne. “The Cost of Loneliness: Canadians Are Facing a Solitary Future - and It's Affecting Their Health.” Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa Citizen, 22 Dec. 2019, ottawacitizen.com/health/seniors/doesl-one-loneliness-kill.
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“Living Arrangements of Seniors.” Statistics Canada: Canada's National Statistical Agency / Statistique Canada : Organisme Statistique National Du Canada, 23 July 2018, www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/as-sa/98-312-x/98-312-x2011003_4-eng.cfm.
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Novotney, Amy. “The Risks of Social Isolation.” Monitor on Psychology, American Psychological Association, May 2019, www.apa.org/monitor/2019/05/ce-corner-isolation.
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“Social Isolation and Loneliness.” HelpAge Canada, 14 Feb. 2020, helpagecanada.ca/resources/social-isolation-and-loneliness/#:~:text=Isolated%20seniors%20%E2%80%93%20a%20profile,lower%20general%20well%2Dbeing.