“For some, aging comes with increased isolation and declining health, as social circles shrink and families change.”
– The Agenda with Steve Paikin, TVO*
Isolation is proving to be a growing problem for seniors, a challenge for families and a drain on the health care system. Here is an overview of the current situation and suggestions for helping our seniors get connected and supported.
The following video was originally published on April 3, 2018, and compresses a great deal of information into a single episode of The Agenda. The playback on this page starts at 14:22 in order to “get to the point”. The first fourteen minutes cover the terminology of isolated seniors in great detail. You are welcome to rewind to the beginning if you wish to hear the discussion of terms such as “socially frail”, “elder orphans” and “senior citizens”.
Guests in this segment include:
- Dr. Samir Sinha of the University Health Network
- Jane Meadus of the Canadian Centre for Elder Law Studies
- Dr. Adriana Shnall of Baycrest Health Sciences
- Susan Hyatt of Silver Sherpas
Of course, eventually downsizing to a retirement or long-term care home will help isolated seniors. In the meantime, here are the recommendations from four experts.
Questions answered in this video include:
What strategies can families and social support organizations put in place to help isolated seniors?
What is the annual cost to the Ontario health care system of accidental falls by seniors?
What home design changes are some builders making to accommodate families with seniors?
What surprising marital change is occurring in some elderly marriages?
Where do many seniors go in the early afternoon that benefits them socially?
How is technology helping isolated seniors?
What are some condo building boards doing to help isolated seniors?
How can organizations for young children help the elderly?
What suggestions do you have for helping isolated seniors?
*The Agenda with Steve Paikin is sponsored by the Chartered Professional Accounts of Ontario CPAOntario.ca. One of my retired brothers was a CPA for many years and has already benefited from many of the suggestions in this video.
You may notice some Canadian spelling in these posts. The words may look odd but that’s how we spell them. We’re used to it.
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Author:
Unless otherwise credited, all posts are happily authored with a quill pen …
Paul Ferri, Broker, ASA (Accredited Senior Agent)
RE/MAX Unique Inc. Brokerage*, Toronto, Canada
*Each office independently owned and operated.
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