Loneliness in Seniors in Calgary: How Regular Home Visits Can Make a Difference

When Margaret moved into her little bungalow in northwest Calgary after her husband died, everyone told her how “lucky” she was: a safe neighbourhood, a cozy home, friendly neighbours. But as the months went by, the days all started to feel the same. Breakfast alone. TV murmuring in the background. Watching the weather change over Nose Hill through the window instead of on her daily walks.

Her daughter, Sarah, juggled work, kids’ hockey, and a long drive across the city to visit once a week. Every time she left, she worried: “Is Mom really okay being alone this much?” Margaret told her not to fuss. But some nights, the silence in the house felt so heavy it was almost hard to breathe.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Loneliness among older adults is being called a “public health epidemic” in Canada. In one national survey, nearly 1 in 5 Canadians aged 65+ reported feeling lonely, and more recent data suggests that more than a third of older adults feel lonely at least some of the time. (Statistics Canada)

The good news? For many Calgary seniors, regular home visits and companionship care can make a powerful difference—often more than families realize.

In this guide, we’ll explore what loneliness in seniors really looks like, why it’s so serious, what signs to watch for, and how simple, consistent social visits (from family, volunteers, and professional caregivers) can help your loved one feel connected again.

Loneliness vs. Social Isolation: What’s the Difference?

People often use the words “lonely” and “isolated” interchangeably, but they’re not quite the same.

Social isolation is about how many social contacts someone has. An isolated senior might live alone, rarely leave home, and have very few interactions with others.
Loneliness is a feeling—that painful sense of being disconnected, even if people are physically around. (MyHealth Alberta)

An older adult in Calgary can be surrounded by family on weekends and still feel profoundly lonely if they don’t feel understood, needed, or included in everyday life.

The City of Calgary emphasizes that older adults who stay socially connected are more likely to lead happier, healthier lives, while those who feel isolated face higher risks to both physical and mental health. (https://www.calgary.ca)

A simple way to think about it:

Social isolation = “not enough people.”
Loneliness = “not enough connection.”

Regular home visits aim to address both.

Why Loneliness in Seniors Is a Serious Health Issue

Loneliness in older adults isn’t just “feeling a bit down.” Research in Canada and internationally shows it can be as harmful as major risk factors we take very seriously.

Studies have linked social isolation and loneliness in older adults to:

Higher risk of heart disease and stroke (MyHealth Alberta)
Increased rates of depression and anxiety (ccsmh.ca)
Faster cognitive decline and dementia (MyHealth Alberta)
More falls, medication use, and earlier entry into residential care (Canada)
A significantly higher risk of early death, comparable to risks like smoking and obesity (Statistics Canada)

One Canadian report noted that up to 58% of adults 50+ have experienced loneliness, and as many as 41% are at risk of social isolation. (ccsmh.ca)

In other words: if your loved one in Calgary is frequently alone and seems withdrawn, it’s not just “sad”—it may be impacting their health in very real ways.

Warning Signs: Is Your Calgary Loved One Lonely?

Loneliness doesn’t always look like tears or obvious sadness. It often shows up in small changes over time. Here are signs to watch for.

Physical signs

Sleeping much more or much less than usual
Changes in appetite or noticeable weight loss/gain
Less interest in walking, exercise, or getting outside
Neglecting personal hygiene or laundry
More frequent aches, pains, or vague physical complaints

Emotional / mental signs

Saying things like “I don’t want to be a burden” or “No one needs me”
Increased irritability, anger, or frustration over small things
Low mood, hopelessness, or talking about “what’s the point?”
More confusion or forgetfulness, especially when routines change

Social signs

Turning down invitations they would have accepted before
Saying “I’m fine” but never having much to talk about
Rarely leaving the house except for essentials
No longer engaging with hobbies, clubs, or faith communities

Care-related signs

Missed medications, appointments, or bill payments
Empty fridge or expired food
Home becoming noticeably cluttered or dirty
You feeling like the only “lifeline” they have

If you’re seeing several of these, your loved one might be lonelier than they admit.

How Regular Home Visits Help: More Than “Just Company”

Consistent, thoughtful visits (from family, volunteers, or professional companion caregivers) can touch many areas of an older adult’s life at once.

1. Emotional connection & being “seen”

A familiar person who truly listens—over tea, a card game, or a shared TV show—can give a senior a sense of being valued, not forgotten. Research shows that simply feeling more socially connected is linked with better mental health and life satisfaction. (ccsmh.ca)

2. Structure and something to look forward to

Knowing “someone is coming Tuesday and Friday afternoons” gives the week shape. It can:

Break up long stretches of silence
Encourage better sleep and daily routines
Motivate personal care (“I’ll get dressed; someone’s visiting!”)

3. Gentle monitoring and early problem-spotting

Regular visitors often notice:

Changes in mood, mobility, or memory
Safety hazards in the home (loose rugs, poor lighting)
Issues like missed medications or poor nutrition

They can pass concerns on to family so problems are addressed early, before they become crises. (Canada)

4. Support with meaningful activities

Companions—especially trained home-care companions—can help seniors:

Get out for walks or simple errands
Attend social or faith events
Keep up with hobbies (gardening, crafts, music, cooking)

Calgary-based home care organizations note that this kind of active companionship supports independence, reduces loneliness, and boosts overall quality of life. (Nurse Next Door)

Types of Companionship & Home Visits in Calgary

There’s no one “right” way to reduce loneliness. Most families end up using a mix of:

Family & friend visits

Scheduled weekly visits (e.g., Sunday dinner, Wednesday coffee)
Rotating between siblings, grandchildren, cousins, or neighbours
Shorter but consistent drop-ins (“I’ll stop by every Tuesday after work”)

Community & volunteer programs

In Calgary, there are excellent programs specifically designed to support lonely or isolated seniors, such as:

Calgary Seniors Resource Society – offers programs like Phone Friends and Shopping Companion, connecting seniors with volunteers for regular calls, errands, and social visits. (calgaryseniors.org)
Friendly visiting programs – one-on-one volunteer visits and outings for isolated seniors, often weekly. (211 Alberta)
City of Calgary “older adults and social isolation” resources – ideas, activities, and community connections across the city. (https://www.calgary.ca)

These options are especially valuable if family lives out of town or has limited availability.

Professional companionship & home care

Companion care is a non-medical home care service that focuses on social connection and everyday support rather than clinical tasks. Local agencies in Calgary—including Compassion Senior Care and others—offer:

Conversation, games, walks, and outings
Help with light meals, tidying, and organization
Medication reminders and routine check-ins
Transportation to appointments or social activities (Nurse Next Door)

For many families, combining volunteer support with a few hours a week of professional companionship creates a strong safety net—without overwhelming the budget.

What About Cost?

Every family’s situation is different, but here are some general points:

Volunteer programs are often free for seniors or low-cost, sometimes with a waitlist.
Faith communities, cultural groups, and neighbourhood networks can offer informal support at no financial cost, but require coordination.
Professional companion care is usually privately paid by the family, though some may use:
- Extended health benefits
- Workplace benefits (if the caregiver is the policyholder)
- Certain veterans’ or pension programs, depending on eligibility

To manage costs, some families:

Start with a small number of hours per week (e.g., 2–4 hours), focused on the loneliest times of day
Use professional care for in-home visits and supplement with volunteer phone calls
Adjust schedules after a month or two, based on what clearly helps the most

The Guilt Question: “Shouldn’t Family Be Enough?”

Many Calgary caregivers quietly ask themselves:

“If I hire someone to keep Mom company, does that mean I’m failing her?”

The honest answer: no.

Modern life in Calgary is demanding—jobs, kids, commuting, traffic, rising costs. Expecting yourself to be a full-time emotional support worker, social director, driver, cook, and nurse on top of everything else isn’t just unrealistic; it can lead to burnout.

Research on caregivers shows that when families get consistent support, both the caregiver and the senior tend to do better: less stress, better health, and more patient, loving interactions. (Canada)

Bringing in a companion or home-care visitor doesn’t replace your love. It protects it, so your time together can be more about connection and less about worry.

Introducing the Idea to Your Loved One

Some seniors resist the idea of “having someone come in.” A few ways to soften the conversation:

Start with your feelings, not their deficiencies
- “I worry about you being alone so much during the week.”
- “I feel bad that I can’t be here as often as I’d like.”
Frame it as support, not surveillance
- “It might be nice to have someone to chat with, or to go out for a coffee.”
- “She could help with groceries and give you a ride to the pharmacy.”
Offer a trial period
- “Can we just try it for a month and then you decide?”
Involve them in choosing the person
- Show them profiles, talk about preferences (language, hobbies, personality).

Many seniors who are reluctant at first end up saying, “I didn’t know how much I needed this.”

Helping Your Loved One Make the Most of Visits

To get real value from companionship:

Schedule visits at times they feel most lonely (often afternoons or early evenings).
Encourage the companion to focus on shared activities, not just chores:
- Looking at old photo albums
- Baking or cooking together
- Short walks or drives around their old neighbourhood
Ask for brief updates after visits so you know how things are going.

If you use a professional agency like Compassion Senior Care, you can usually discuss your parent’s personality, interests, and routines so the match feels more natural from the start. (Compassion Home Care Services)

Building a Long-Term Connection Plan

Loneliness rarely disappears overnight. Think of this as building a long-term social safety net around your loved one:

A regular weekly schedule of visits and calls
A mix of family, friends, volunteers, and professional care
Occasional special outings (holiday lights, favourite café, church, cultural events)
Periodic check-ins: “Is this still working for you? Anything you’d like more or less of?”

Over time, you may notice your loved one:

Smiling more and sharing more stories
Taking better care of themselves
Feeling more interested in the world again

Local Resources in Calgary to Explore

This is not an exhaustive list, but a starting point for tackling senior loneliness in Calgary:

Calgary Seniors Resource Society – Phone Friends, Shopping Companion, friendly visiting and other supports for isolated seniors. (calgaryseniors.org)
City of Calgary – Older Adults & Social Isolation – Information, activities, and community connections for older adults. (https://www.calgary.ca)
Hospice Calgary Companion Programs – Volunteer companions supporting individuals and families living with illness. (www.hospicecalgary.ca)
Private home care agencies in Calgary – Including Compassion Senior Care and other local providers offering companion care and in-home support services. (Compassion Home Care Services)

Bringing It Back to Margaret

Remember Margaret, sitting alone in her bungalow, watching the seasons change from her window?

After a gentle but honest conversation, Sarah arranged:

A weekly volunteer phone call
A Tuesday afternoon companion visit for walks and groceries
Sunday dinners that became non-negotiable family time

Within a few months, Margaret’s doctor noticed her mood had lifted. She was walking more, laughing more, and even talking about joining a seniors’ art group she’d seen in a brochure.

The house was the same. The city was the same.
What changed was the circle of people regularly walking through her door.

Key Truths to Remember

Loneliness is common among Calgary seniors—but it’s not inevitable.
Social isolation and loneliness can seriously affect physical and mental health.
Small, consistent home visits and companionship can make a big difference.
You’re not failing your loved one by asking for help; you’re strengthening the support around them.

Ready to Explore Senior Companionship in Calgary?

If you’re worried about a parent or relative spending too much time alone, you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.

Compassion Senior Care can help you:

Talk through your loved one’s situation
Understand how companionship and home visits could help
Create a flexible plan that supports both your loved one and you as the caregiver

Ready to take the next step toward a less lonely, more supported life for your loved one?

Contact Compassion Senior Care today to schedule a friendly, no-pressure conversation about senior companionship in Calgary.