Category Archives: Social Connectedness

SAC Presents Technology-Related Recommendations for Seniors’ Isolation and Loneliness

Posted on September 28, 2018 by Eddy Elmer

The Committee was pleased to be invited to the inaugural launch of the Vancouver Chapter of Aging 2.0, a local network of innovators who harness technology and innovation to improve aging and the senior care sector. The event was supported by Telus, … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Connectedness, Technology | Comments Off on SAC Presents Technology-Related Recommendations for Seniors’ Isolation and Loneliness

Solutions for Chronic Loneliness Require Innovation and Vision

Posted on September 13, 2018 by Eddy Elmer
Posted in Social Connectedness | Comments Off on Solutions for Chronic Loneliness Require Innovation and Vision

Motion: Ensuring Public Access to Privately-Owned Public Spaces

Posted on July 20, 2018 by Eddy Elmer

At its regular meeting on July 20, 2018, the City of Vancouver Seniors’ Advisory Committee unanimously passed the following motion regarding public access to privately-owned public spaces. These spaces are provided by developers as a condition of rezoning and should be fully accessible to … Continue reading →

Posted in Public Spaces, Social Connectedness | Comments Off on Motion: Ensuring Public Access to Privately-Owned Public Spaces

Vancouver Residents Feel Unwelcome as Privately-Owned Public Spaces Spread

Posted on July 19, 2018 by Eddy Elmer

As the city increasingly relies on developers to provide public amenities in exchange for density, ground rules are needed, critics argue By Kerry Gold Special to The Globe and Mail Published July 19, 2018 Late one night on the Canada … Continue reading →

Posted in Public Spaces, Social Connectedness | Comments Off on Vancouver Residents Feel Unwelcome as Privately-Owned Public Spaces Spread

Loneliness and GBTQ Men: Summer Webinar Series

Posted on June 28, 2018 by Eddy Elmer

SAC member Eddy Elmer will be presenting a webinar on loneliness and GBTQ men on July 18 and August 15, 3-4 PM Toronto time. This event is being hosted by the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance in collaboration with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Connectedness | Comments Off on Loneliness and GBTQ Men: Summer Webinar Series

Hon. Jody Wilson-Raybould Attends Presentation on Social Isolation and Loneliness

Posted on May 27, 2018 by Eddy Elmer

The Committee is delighted that the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, MP for Vancouver Granville and the Minister of Justice for Canada, attended Eddy Elmer’s presentation of our Social Isolation and Loneliness Report. It is gratifying that our federal leaders are taking an interest in … Continue reading →

Posted in Community Events, Conferences, Social Connectedness | Comments Off on Hon. Jody Wilson-Raybould Attends Presentation on Social Isolation and Loneliness

Quadra-Granville Seniors Social Isolation Forum, May 26

Posted on May 22, 2018 by Eddy Elmer

On May 26, the Quadra-Granville Seniors Group and the South Granville Seniors’ Centre are co-hosting a free forum on social isolation and loneliness among seniors. These issues have been identified as major concerns in our society causing significant negative effects on physical … Continue reading →

Posted in Community Events, Social Connectedness | Comments Off on Quadra-Granville Seniors Social Isolation Forum, May 26

SAC to Present Social Isolation and Loneliness Report, May 16 at SFU

Posted on April 15, 2018 by Eddy Elmer

Eddy Elmer, a member of the SAC and a PhD student in gerontology, will be presenting findings of the Committee’s Social Isolation and Loneliness Project at the 27th Annual John K. Friesen Conference, to be held May 16-17 at Simon Fraser University, Harbour … Continue reading →

Posted in Conferences, Social Connectedness | Comments Off on SAC to Present Social Isolation and Loneliness Report, May 16 at SFU

Building Managers Needed for Study On Socially Isolated Seniors

Posted on January 29, 2018 by Eddy Elmer
Posted in Housing, Social Connectedness | Comments Off on Building Managers Needed for Study On Socially Isolated Seniors

Fighting Loneliness with a Community of Seniors

Posted on November 14, 2017 by Eddy Elmer

Local journalist Linda Givetash spoke with SAC member Eddy Elmer and chair Colleen McGuinness about social isolation and loneliness in Vancouver and the Committee’s upcoming report on these issues: Fighting loneliness with a community of seniors, The Tyee, November 14, 2017

Posted in Social Connectedness | Comments Off on Fighting Loneliness with a Community of Seniors

Update on Social Isolation & Loneliness Project

Posted on September 19, 2017 by Eddy Elmer

The Committee is currently revising and finalizing its list of recommendations to help reduce social isolation and loneliness among older adults in Vancouver. We will provide more details in a few weeks.

Posted in Social Connectedness | Comments Off on Update on Social Isolation & Loneliness Project

SAC Opinion on 105 Keefer Rezoning Application

Posted on May 25, 2017 by Eddy Elmer

The following comments have been sent to Council in a letter. Our Chair will also be speaking to the matter at today’s Public Hearing at 6pm. The Seniors’ Advisory Committee is a civic agency appointed by Vancouver City Council to … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Social Connectedness | 4 Comments

How to Combat the Vicious Cycle of Loneliness

Posted on April 19, 2017 by Eddy Elmer

This month, The Atlantic features a great interview with loneliness researcher John Cacioppo. In the interview, he reminds us of the need to distinguish social isolation from loneliness, and how programs designed to alleviate isolation do not necessarily alleviate loneliness. A good read, with particular … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Connectedness | Comments Off on How to Combat the Vicious Cycle of Loneliness

New Report from National Seniors Council on Social Isolation

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Eddy Elmer

The National Seniors Council of Canada has just released a new report outlining the current scientific literature about social isolation among specific groups of seniors. This is a comprehensive review and we encourage everyone interested in seniors’ issues to have a look. … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Connectedness | Comments Off on New Report from National Seniors Council on Social Isolation

Biggest Threat Facing Middle-Aged Men is Loneliness

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Eddy Elmer

This month’s Boston Globe magazine features an excellent article about the risk for loneliness among middle-aged men. In particular, it discusses the tendency for middle-aged men to let their friendships lapse as they age. It is well worth the read. If you … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Connectedness | Comments Off on Biggest Threat Facing Middle-Aged Men is Loneliness

Accessible Public Bathrooms Motion Passes

Posted on November 2, 2016 by Eddy Elmer

We are very pleased that Vancouver City Council has unanimously passed our motion calling for the consideration of accessible public toilets—a key element of an age-friendly city—in all planning projects. For some people, the uncertainty of access to public toilets … Continue reading →

Posted in Mobility, Social Connectedness | Comments Off on Accessible Public Bathrooms Motion Passes

Reach Isolated Seniors Everywhere

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Eddy Elmer
Posted in Social Connectedness | Comments Off on Reach Isolated Seniors Everywhere

104-year-old woman a shining example of municipal programs’ success

Posted on October 18, 2016 by Eddy Elmer

A new report by the Columbia Institute says municipalities play a critical role in providing services to seniors: http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/british-columbia/104-year-old-municipal-programs-1.3810594

Posted in Social Connectedness | Comments Off on 104-year-old woman a shining example of municipal programs’ success

Impact of Permanent Closure of 800-Block Robson Street

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Eddy Elmer

Council voted yesterday to approve a permanent pedestrian plaza along the 800-block of Robson Street. This means that no vehicular traffic, including buses, will no longer be able to travel along that block. The Seniors’ Advisory Committee did not have … Continue reading →

Posted in Mobility, Social Connectedness, Transportation | Comments Off on Impact of Permanent Closure of 800-Block Robson Street

Vancouver Earns Designation as an Age-Friendly Community

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Eddy Elmer

The Committee is pleased to announce that we were successful in our application to have Vancouver designated as an Age-Friendly Community by the Province of British Columbia. Cities achieve this designation after establishing an advisory committee, securing a local government resolution, conducting … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, Health, Housing, Mobility, Safety, Social Connectedness, Transportation | Comments Off on Vancouver Earns Designation as an Age-Friendly Community