Loneliness is gaining recognition for its profound impact on health — particularly on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The growing awareness has sparked community solutions, such as the Memory Cafés run by the Ottawa Public Library.
The cafés, supported by the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County, provide a space for connection, conversation and camaraderie. The initiative is still new. Robin Gallagher, program manager of client experience and community development at the Ottawa Public Library, is at work improving and expanding the program for the coming years.
“We started this because we saw a gap,” Gallagher said. “Libraries are already places where people come together, so creating a welcoming space for those living with dementia and their caregivers felt like a natural extension of what we do.”
The idea is simple: there is a monthly gathering at each library location where participants can share their experiences, build relationships and access resources. Activities range from group discussions to creative workshops, with a focus on meaningful interactions.
“We want these cafés to be a safe space for everyone,” Gallagher said. “It’s not about what you can or can’t do. It’s about showing up and feeling a sense of community.”
For people with dementia and their caregivers, the cafés offer a vital break from the isolation and stress of a diagnosis. “We’ve had people tell us that attending a memory café was the first time they felt understood,” Gallagher said.
Emerging research underscores the importance of connection. A 2023 study on Parkinson’s disease found that individuals who reported feeling lonely were at a 37 per cent higher risk of developing the disease over a 15-year period.
“It’s a subjective experience, but persistent feelings of loneliness appear to have long-term health implications, particularly for neurodegenerative diseases,” said Antonio Terracciano, a professor in the department of geriatrics at Florida State University and co-author of the 2023 study.
While the link is still being studied, the researcher emphasizes that reducing loneliness can have a profound impact on overall well-being.
“It adds to that call for more attention to loneliness and more attention to, as a society, making meaningful connections with one another to improve quality of life and to reduce the risk of poor health outcomes,” Terracciano said.
The Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County looks to programs such as the Memory Cafés to address the growing need for dementia support.
“There’s so much potential here,” said Saskia Sivananthan, a neuroscientist with The Brainwell Institute. “These cafés can help to create connections, but they also increase awareness and could help make the community more inclusive and supportive of those living with neurodegenerative conditions.”
The initiative is a work in progress, still in the early stages. “We’re learning as we go,” Gallagher said. “Every session teaches us something new about what participants need and value. It’s about adapting and improving so we can make these spaces as impactful as possible.”
The Alzheimer’s Society of Canada predicts the number of Canadians living with dementia will rise from the 733,000 today to more than a million by 2030.
For now, the Memory Cafés are running at five library locations. “We’re hearing stories of people leaving these sessions feeling less alone,” Gallagher said. “That’s what it’s all about—giving people a place to belong.”
As the program grows, it offers a hopeful model for addressing the isolation faced by individuals and families living with neurodegenerative diseases.
