It is estimated that 5% to 15% of the population lives with a feeling of loneliness and that over 30% of older adults in Canada are at high risk of loneliness. Civic engagement, including volunteering, can address social isolation amongst older adults and provide a sense of accomplishment and belonging to the community. This feeling is accompanied by positive benefits for your health and quality of life.
Civic participation aims to help others, solve community problems, or produce a common good and may include actions such as helping friends and neighbours, donating to a charity or organization, or volunteering for a community organization. Civic participation (especially volunteering) seems to be the key to meeting the needs of older adults in terms of proximity, meaningful relationships and reciprocity.
Read more about what the latest research says about civic engagement and participation and the many benefits of both for older adults.
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How civic engagement and participation can benefit older adults
Featured Resources
- Blog Post: Break the cycle of isolation and stay healthy: Get involved in your community!
- Blog Post: Civic participation of older adults: Beyond volunteering
- Blog Post: Social media: Can they be used by older citizens to make their voices heard?
- Web Resource Rating: Why Seniors Make the Best Volunteers
- Web Resource Rating: Five benefits of volunteering in retirement
To view all of our available resources on this topic, visit https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/browse/healthcare-delivery/civic-engagement
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DISCLAIMER: These summaries are provided for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice. The summaries may be reproduced for non-profit educational purposes. Any other use must be approved by the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (info@mcmasteroptimalaging.org).
