Everyone knows someone living alone and in 2015 over 35% of Manitoban's over the age of 65 reported feeling lonely.

"Let No One Be Alone" was the theme this past week for senior coordinators across the province. The initiative is meant to draw attention to the high number of older adults that live alone and claim they are lonely. Often we underestimate the powers of a touch, a smile or a listening ear and don't realize that the smallest act of kindness or acknowledgement could potentially turn someone's life around.

Founder of "Let No One Be Alone" and senior coordinator Brenda Tonn said when she started the initiative back in 2012 it was about reaching out to those isolated in their own homes.

"I thought it would be a great way to connect people about those living alone and bring awareness to the fact that there are a lot of people in that isolated situation. It doesn't take much to make a difference for someone that is suffering from loneliness, so it's a charity of giving and giving of your time."

Tonn added that the idea came to her after attending a seminar on how to be grateful and thankful, noting it made her think about what it must be like to live and sleep alone day after day.

"One night I couldn't sleep because my husband was snoring and so I thought how can I be grateful about this, than I thought well at least I am not alone. I started thinking about all the people I know that are probably laying in bed all by themselves and they don't have anyone to wake up to. That's when my heart went out to these people because I could not imagine that feeling," explained Tonn.  

The initiative now in it's 6th year running serves as a reminder that social isolation is a significant health concern for seniors. With loneliness comes depression, poor mental health, poor physical health. A lot of the time, people are isolated for a number of reasons whether it is no family, no transportation, no social connectedness, or maybe they have low self-esteem. These things can have an affect on someone's willingness to go out.

Being socially isolated can lead to other "negative health behaviours" like drinking, smoking, living a less active lifestyle and poor eating habits. Reports also show socially-isolated seniors are also four to five times more likely to be hospitalized, and these health factors often lead to further isolation, a vicious cycle.

During the awareness week seniors coordinators arrange a wide variety of events including teas, volunteer phone programs, dinners, entertainment, and for each event they offer transportation.