Rethinking Loneliness: How Community Shapes Social Connection in Older Adults

In this episode of the Living to 100 Club, Dr. Joe Casciani speaks with Amanda Montague of Carleton University about her innovative, community-based research on social isolation and loneliness among older adults. Also on the program is Anna Cuylits, Chair of the Senior Watch Old Ottawa South (SWOOS).

Working closely with Anna's group in Ottawa, Amanda used participatory methods—including workshops, digital storytelling, and social network mapping—to better understand how older adults experience connection in everyday life. Rather than focusing only on isolation, the project explored what helps people feel connected, revealing an important insight: loneliness may be more prevalent—and more complex—than social isolation alone.

Their conversation highlights how social connection is shaped not just by relationships, but also by the design of communities—walkable spaces, accessible transportation, and simple features like places to rest. To better understand social connection in older adults, they also explore the role of informal networks of care, community partnerships, and the need for better coordination among organizations that support aging in place.

This episode offers practical insights for professionals, caregivers, and communities seeking to move beyond awareness and take meaningful steps to strengthen connection and well-being in later life.

Mini Bios

Amanda Montague

Amanda received her PhD from the University of Ottawa in 2019. Her dissertation, Mobile Memories: Canadian Cultural Memory in the Digital Age, explored how mobile technologies and locative media shape everyday experiences of memory and place. From 2019 to 2022, she held a postdoctoral fellowship in Digital Storytelling at the Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship at McMaster University, where she collaborated with librarians and information specialists to support digital scholarship through teaching, consultations, and digital tool workshops. She later joined McMaster’s Office of Community Engagement as an Educational Developer for Community-Engaged Teaching and Learning.

Amanda has extensive experience developing community-engaged and experiential learning courses as an instructor, collaborator, and consultant. Since 2016, she has designed projects in digital humanities that promote creativity, collaboration, and community-building. Her work has included supporting students in developing community storytelling projects using tools such as podcasting, digital exhibits, mapping, G