Every year, as the holiday season approaches, we’re surrounded by familiar images of families gathering, neighbours catching up, and communities coming alive with colour and noise. This season is often described as a time of connection. But for many older people in our community, it can be the loneliest time of the year.

Loneliness doesn’t always announce itself loudly. More often, it shows up quietly, in the long hours between visitors, in the empty chair at the table, or in the slow weeks after Christmas when the rest of the world returns to its usual pace.

While many of us are rushing from one celebration to the next, there are older people in our neighbourhoods spending their days waiting for the next knock at the door or simply hoping someone remembers them.

This isn’t just a social issue; it’s a health issue. We know loneliness can increase the risk of depression, cognitive decline and chronic illness, and even reduce life expectancy. During summer, these risks can rise. Hot weather keeps people indoors, routines shift, and support networks thin out as families travel or take holidays.

But here’s the encouraging part: easing loneliness rarely requires anything complicated. It’s the small, thoughtful gestures that make the biggest difference. A phone call. A short visit. An invitation to join a family lunch.

A quick check-in on a very hot day. These things don’t require programs or planning, they simply require us to notice.

At Warrigal, we see every day that connection doesn’t only live in big, organised moments. It lives in the small ones: a chat in the garden, sharing stories over a cup of tea, or taking a short stroll together on a warm morning. These moments matter. Over summer, they matter even more.

Many older people won’t reach out, even when they want company. They tell us they don’t want to be a burden or interrupt someone else’s busy life. That’s why awareness is so important. When we understand that loneliness often peaks at this time of year, we’re more likely to reach out and when we do, we can genuinely change someone’s day.

Helping can be simple:

• A five-minute phone call to an older relative or neighbour
• An invitation to join a barbecue or outing
• Dropping by with groceries or a small treat
• Helping with errands on very hot days
• Encouraging younger family members to send a message or pay a visit
• Linking someone to a community activity that continues through the holidays

These gestures aren’t just nice to offer. They strengthen a sense of belonging. They remind older people that they’re valued and part of a community that cares.

At Warrigal, our vision is to create a world where older people feel known, loved and connected. For us, that isn’t a tagline, it’s a responsibility. Our teams provide companionship, activities and support every day, but the broader community plays a vital role too.

Older people benefit from relationships with people of all ages and backgrounds. That’s what keeps communities strong.

Summer also gives us a chance to rethink some of the assumptions we make about ageing. Many older people are social, active and eager to stay engaged. What often gets in the way isn’t interest, but opportunity. Transport, distance, and changing social circles can quietly shrink someone’s world. Together, we can help widen it again.

There’s a lot of discussion at the moment about how Australia supports its ageing population, especially with the introduction of the new Aged Care Act.

These reforms are important as they strengthen rights, choice and quality of life. But even the strongest legislation can’t replace the impact of human connection. That part relies on all of us.

As we move into the holiday season, I encourage families, neighbours and community members to look out for the older people around them. Say hello. Check in. Extend an invitation. Those moments of connection might seem small, but they carry real weight.

Most of us will remember this summer for the usual things: the heat, the gatherings, the celebrations. But for an older person, the memory that stays with them might be the moment someone made them feel included.

If each of us can offer even a small piece of that feeling, we can help make our community a kinder, more connected place, not just this summer, but all year round.

Jenni Hutchins, Warrigal CEO