30-year-old project will help fight social isolation of the elderly

30-year-old project will help fight social isolation of the elderly

Newfoundland and Labrador are taking steps to help lonely elders.

In addition to financial support, the issue of helping seniors living in remote areas is regularly raised in Canada. In Newfoundland and Labrador, according to census data, almost one in four residents is 65 or older, so the problem is becoming increasingly acute.

Geriatricians in Canada suggest using a mental health scheme that originated in the province 30 years ago. In 1992, the federal government halted all commercial cod fishing in the region due to a sharp decline in fish stocks. This put more than 30,000 people out of work. Then the Canadian Mental Health Association trained community members to help their neighbors cope with the depression and anxiety that gripped the population.

This year, the head of geriatrics at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto suggested using this model of residents caring for each other to combat the social isolation and loneliness of a rapidly aging population. He believes provinces should develop community empowerment programs to allow residents to age safely and securely at home, avoiding relocation to long-term care facilities in larger cities.

According to Statistics Canada, the elderly population has more than tripled in the past 40 years and is projected to increase another 68% over the next 20 years.

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