Seniors Connect NS

Seniors Connect NS is a free telephone-based program that reaches out to isolated older adults, eliminating barriers and making it safe and easy to participate in interesting activities, meet new people, and make meaningful connections – all from the comfort of home.

Spencer House and Shelburne County Mental Health & Wellness Association are partnering to bring Seniors Connect NS to Nova Scotia with support from Community Links and The Good Companions. 

This innovative pilot program will run from June 2024 to December 2024 in Lunenburg and Shelburne counties and across the Halifax Regional Municipality. Telephone-based program content will be tailored to the interests of the older adults who attend and can include trivia, storytelling, wellness presentations, educational lectures, music, and interactive games.

Did You Know? 

  • When older adults are socially isolated, their mental and physical health decline. Isolated older adults have a 32% increased risk of stroke, 50% increased risk of developing dementia, and 45% increased risk of death.  

  • Isolation and loneliness have been associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.  

  • There are many organizations and services that help older adults to stay connected, engaged and supported in Nova Scotia, but there can be barriers to in-person and online programming such as transportation, accessibility, cost, illness and social anxiety.  

Seniors Connect NS is based on the Seniors Centre Without Walls telephone program that has been operating across Ontario since 2017. Ontario program participants are self-reporting a significant decrease in feelings of isolation and loneliness and look forward to weekly programming and connecting with others.   

All four organizations working to bring Seniors Connect NS to Nova Scotia extend thanks to the Department of Seniors and Long-term Care for supporting this pilot program.