SAD TIME OF YEAR FOR MANY SENIORS

BUT HELP IS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE FEELING ISOLATED

many Hamilton seniors, January has become more than a cold and snowy month.

With COVID-19 closing coffee shops and recreation centres, the feeling of isolation has become more intense.

According to the 2017 Hamilton Social Isolation Impact Plan, about 12,000 seniors in the community are isolated.

"We think it's much higher with COVID," said Dr. Alexandra Papaioannou, a professor in the department of medicine at McMaster University, geriatrician at Hamilton Health Sciences and executive director of the GERAS Centre for Aging Research.

She noted the many older residents are no longer able to follow their regular routines due to the panFor demic.

"The lady at Tim Hortons saying Good morning every day to you, sitting down having your coffee, going to a seniors' centre, all those kinds of things, if you're isolated, it has become much worse," she said.

The social isolation impact plan notes people who live alone (after the death of a spouse), have a disability, suffer from poor health, face language barriers, live in poverty and lack access to services and supports are particularly at risk of