Mental health needs and technological interventions for social connectedness amongst older adults

Health Research BC is providing match funds for this research project, which is funded by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Connection Grant. 

Older adults are one of the most at-risk groups in the COVID-19 pandemic, both to the negative effects of the virus and on their social connections. In order to stop the spread of COVID-19, social distancing and stay-at-home orders have been put in place. As a result of these steps, places that older adults go to socialize, for example seniors’ community centres, have been forced to close. The aim of this project is to work with a not-for-profit community centre, the West End Seniors Network (WESN), to disseminate the finding from a project where we examined the social connectedness of seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mission of WESN is to enhance the quality of life of older adults by providing social, recreational, educational and supportive programs and services that foster connection and inclusion in the broader community. WESN is the second-largest independent seniors’ centre in Vancouver with over 900 active members; however, due to COVID-19 WESN was forced to close its doors. Through this project we will work with WESN staff and community members to disseminate ways that we can develop stronger social connections. Through interviews with staff, community members, and older adults, we identified what worked, and what did not work to better seniors COVID-19 experience. We will use this information to inform policy-makers, other community centres, and older adults of the ways that we can improve social connections during the pandemic. Through this project we can use the lessons learned and relationships built in this project in larger programs and with more partners.

End of Award Update – September 2025

Results

Through working directly with the community, we were able to gather first-hand experiences of how COVID-19 impacted older adults and their social lives. By engaging with older adults, WESN staff, and community members, we gained a ground-level understanding of the challenges they faced and the creative ways they stayed connected during the pandemic. These rich, personal insights allowed us to identify what strategies worked well and what barriers persisted, leading to practical, community-informed recommendations for strengthening social connections in times of crisis. 

Impact

This project has provided a deeper understanding of how to support older adults during times of crisis, offering valuable lessons for both future pandemics and broader social issues. By examining the real-life experiences of older adults during COVID-19, we gained insights into the barriers and facilitators of social connection. These findings can help inform health care providers, community organizations, and policy-makers in British Columbia to better prepare for and respond to future public health emergencies, while also strengthening ongoing efforts to reduce social isolation and improve well-being among older adults on a day-to-day basis. 

Potential Influence

The lessons learned from this project have the potential to shape future approaches to supporting older adults’ health and well-being. By identifying what worked and what did not during the COVID-19 pandemic, our findings can guide the development of policies, programs, and services that foster stronger social connections, both in times of crisis and in everyday life. In British Columbia, this could lead to more resilient community networks and improved strategies for addressing social isolation. Nationally and internationally, these insights can inform best practices for promoting social connectedness as a key determinant of health, ultimately improving quality of life and reducing health care burdens for older adults worldwide. 

Next Steps

Our next steps involve expanding this work to a larger scale to better understand how to foster improved social outcomes and mental health among older adults. Building on the relationships and insights developed through this project, we plan to explore and test potential interventions designed to strengthen social connectedness and reduce isolation. This will include working with additional community partners and stakeholders to co-develop strategies that are both practical and sustainable. We also aim to continue disseminating our findings to policymakers, health care providers, and community organizations to ensure the lessons learned are translated into meaningful action that supports older adults’ well-being in British Columbia and beyond.