Seniors experiencing loneliness also feel negative physical effects but there’s something we can all do to help and it’s free.

The Gift of Time is a campaign by the BC Care Providers Association for seniors dealing with loneliness.

While on NL Newsday, CEO Daniel Fontaine explained how easy it is for us to help.

“Give that gift of time, even if it’s for an hour and even if you can’t physically go, pick up the phone and call someone that you know might be by themselves and just talk to them for half and hour or just listen to them for half and hour and that’s a wonderful gift that you can give,” he said.

“It doesn’t cost you anything but it makes a huge difference to the person that has that interaction.”

Fontaine pointed out the people are meant to interact with one another.

“We know that human beings are programmed to interact with other human beings and when they don’t do that it’s like putting a plant in the dark space without any sunlight and we know that it has negative effects,” Fontaine added.

“So, the good thing is, we know that and we know there are things we can do to counter that and that’s what The Gift of Time campaign is all about.”