Social Connectedness

Across the Regional District of Nanaimo, both the Oceanside and Greater Nanaimo communities have older populations than the provincial average.

• Oceanside has an average age of 53.9 years, with 19.4% of residents aged 75+. [islandhealth.ca]

• Greater Nanaimo has an average age of approximately 44.6 years, and its older adult population is expected to continue growing. [islandhealth.ca]

 

Why this matters: Older adults are more likely to experience social isolation due to retirement, mobility challenges, caregiving demands, bereavement, and reduced social networks. Maintaining opportunities for connection, participation, and belonging becomes increasingly important as populations age.

 

Social connectedness helps:

• Reduce social isolation and loneliness.

• Improve mental health and resilience.

• Support healthy aging.

• Strengthen community safety and belonging.

• Increase access to information, services, and supports.

• Build stronger informal support networks.

• Enhance community capacity to respond to vulnerability, abuse, neglect, and self-neglect.

Social connectedness is not simply a "nice to have." It is a protective factor that influences health, well-being, resilience, and safety. The data from both Greater Nanaimo and Oceanside suggests that fostering belonging, reducing isolation, strengthening community ties, and creating opportunities for meaningful participation can contribute to healthier and more equitable outcomes across the region.