Social Inclusion Week

Social inclusion and engagement helps to reduce the risk of dementia and depression.

Social connection and a sense of belonging are essential to well-being and quality of life for all people. As we age, connection and engagement in meaningful activities with others becomes more important and helps to reduce the risk of dementia and depression.

Older people are susceptible to feeling isolated and lonely due to a combination of health and social factors including decline in hearing, memory loss, physical disabilities, mobility challenges and loss of loved ones.

This was amplified by the social restrictions and community service closures during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many people have been slow to start socialising again because they’re out of the habit or fear the risk of Covid-19 infection.

Thankfully, more initiatives and organisations are working within communities to provide opportunities for older people to become socially connected again.

In most areas, there are social groups or clubs for interests (various hobbies, technology, sports), groups which do community work and groups representing specific cultures. Your local council usually has a list of local groups, look on their website or phone them.

As part of Social Inclusion Week, we have provided the following links to seniors social opportunities in our campaign regions (Adelaide and Western Sydney) in the hope that you, or someone you care about, will find a new social group or activity to join.