This survey by Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria explores how older Victorians experience social connectedness and how we can better support those who feel isolated or disconnected.
We engaged our members through two key avenues:
• A state-wide social connectedness survey asking what helps you stay socially connected, what gets in the way, and what support is needed.
• An in-person member workshop where participants shared personal stories, insights, and ideas in small group discussions.
What we asked
Our survey, which received over 160 responses, aimed to build a clear picture of the factors contributing to, and challenging, social connectedness in later life.
Key questions included:
How often do you have meaningful conversations or social interactions with friends, family, or community?
What kinds of activities help you stay socially connected? What are the main barriers to take part?
What supports or strategies help you feel more connected?
What kind of initiatives would help older people connect more easily?
What we heard: Understanding loneliness
Our community survey reveals important insights about how community members experience loneliness and social connection.
While the majority of respondents maintain good social connections, a significant portion experiences varying degrees of loneliness that impacts their daily lives.