12/22/2025
Especially during long, dark winters, maintaining meaningful social connections is essential to the mental wellness of Canadian seniors. With roughly 1 in 5 seniors reporting feelings of loneliness, the need for strong community ties is an important element to wellness.
Winter often makes staying connected more challenging. Shorter days, colder weather, and reduced mobility can limit opportunities for engagement, leaving many seniors at greater risk of low moods. That’s why planning consistent, reliable points of connection becomes so important during this time of year. Safe in-person visits, regular phone calls or video chats, and community activities that run on a dependable schedule can help create structure and emotional support.
A strong sense of community, whether built through family, neighbours, clubs, or virtual groups, helps elder loved ones feel grounded, supported, and valued. Prioritizing social connection isn’t just about combating loneliness; it’s a vital part of maintaining mental, cognitive, and emotional well-being. To explore resources in the Niagara Region for yourself or a loved ones this winter, visit https://www.agefriendlyniagara.com/older-adult-infolink/recreation-and-sports/ or https://www.niagararegion.ca/living/seniors/community-programs.aspx.