Blog Posts: Social engagement

Public libraries play a significant role in meeting the educational, informational, cultural, recreational, health and social-care needs of older adults.

Sometimes central and disadvantaged neighbourhoods experience major changes, referred to as gentrification. Neighbourhood gentrification can have a significant impact on older adults who often have low and fixed incomes.

Developing activities to promote social activity among older men, especially those who are lonely or socially isolated, is complex. "Men's sheds" can have beneficial effects on mental health and social well-being by allowing men to work, break social isolation and give back to their community.

Many older adults suffer from loneliness, which is often exacerbated by illnesses or the loss of a loved one. Older adults have different strategies for dealing with loneliness, but those around them also need to help break down the walls of solitude.

Music can promote the social well-being of older adults with dementia and their caregivers. Let the sound of music brighten up our homes and communities for the well-being of older adults and their caregivers.

Coping with depression can feel like an uphill battle. In addition to treatments prescribed by your doctor, taking an active role in your treatment through self-care strategies – such as exercise, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and reminiscence therapy – can make a big difference in how you feel.

'Ambient intelligence' technologies and social networks are promising ways to foster interactions and prevent some aging-related problems.

Volunteering is a form of civic engagement that builds on the experience of older adults and breaks down social isolation, while providing them with a sense of accomplishment and belonging to the community. Concrete measures can encourage the engagement of older adults and maintain their participation in volunteer activities.

Recovering from a stroke often includes recovering language and communications skills. Speech language therapy can help.

Not everyone has the same opportunity to access health promotion programs that can save lives and prevent serious illness. Culturally customized materials and approaches can help.

Research-based recommendations to stay in your home and community safely, independently and comfortably for as long as possible.

One of the pleasures in life is spending time with family and friends. Another is getting together to relive those good times and memorable moments. Research shows that group activities involving reminiscing can help relieve social isolation/loneliness and depression.

Depression is a serious chronic disorder common among older adults. Exercise is recommended as part of a depression treatment plan.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy can help prevent relapse among people with depression.

Families of older adults continue to provide the vast majority of care for their members when necessary. Changes in modern society necessitate support for them from the formal healthcare system.

Retirement can impact both physical and emotional health. Engaging in meaningful social relationships and roles contributes to optimal health and well being.

Walking can contribute to improved health, and walking in groups offers additional benefits.

Many older adults are lonely and this could affect their overall health. Changing negative or wrong perceptions about oneself and others is a solution to loneliness.

Social isolation should be considered a health risk. Many older adults are socially isolated and this should be of concern to all of us. We need more research on the best way to deal with it.

If you have 3 or more health conditions, ask your family doctor about better ways to coordinate your care with other health professionals, and how you might decrease important health risks or improve key functional activities.