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Social isolation among seniors has become an increasingly serious issue. Technological illiteracy and weakened community connections have contributed to disturbing reports from Statistics Canada that confirm a link between loneliness and mortality rates. Research suggests that loneliness is as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Good Neighbours Canada is collaborating with Happy Senior Center and the Hanca Seniors’ Association, two local organizations that support Korean immigrant seniors. These organizations have raised concerns about the lack of social contact among seniors, particularly those from minority ethnic groups who do not speak English at all, so face barriers in socializing with their community here in Toronto.
“I’ve always depended on my children to do things on my phone because I was afraid of making mistakes. After this class, I was able to send a picture to my daughter for the first time. She replied, ‘Wow, Mom, you’re amazing!’ It felt so good to do something on my own.”
Recently,We completed our first year of the Connecting Together program, running from September to November 2024. It was conducted with two groups of seniors, comprising 28 and 37 participants, respectively., which supports isolated seniors through technology learning and social engagement. Specifically, it focused on helping Korean-speaking seniors over the age of 60 overcome social isolation and learn to use digital tools for activities such as filing taxes, online banking, and browsing the internet. Through this project, we aimed to teach seniors how to use laptops and smartphones, helping them connect with family and community, reduce loneliness, and add vitality to their lives.
This class covered practical topics that can enhance the seniors’ daily lives:
These classes were about more than just learning new functions. They made communication easier, sparked new interests, and gave seniors the confidence to navigate the digital world independently.
Our goal was to help seniors gain greater independence and pride in their daily lives. This project was more than just a technology program; it served as a bridge connecting people and contributed to creating an inclusive community where no one feels left behind.
The Connecting Together program supported two senior groups in 2024, totalling 61 individual participants. Many participants initially expressed apprehension due to their unfamiliarity with smartphone functions. However, by the end of the course, they expressed newfound confidence and joy from the skills they had acquired.
“I never thought I could play my favorite songs by myself. But now I can, and it makes me feel less isolated and eager to keep learning.”
Good Neighbours Canada looks forward to connecting more seniors and the community throughout 2025 with the Connecting Together initiative. We kindly ask for your continued support!
