Social isolation among older adults is a serious issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one-third of adults ages 45 and older report feeling lonely. Older adults are at an increased risk of social isolation in part due to having less immediate family nearby, limited transportation, and chronic conditions. Many organizations have created resources to help combat this social isolation and support beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers, as well as professionals.
Articles
- engAGED National Resource Center:Being Isolated Can Put Older Adults at Risk for Medicare Fraud
- JAMA Network: Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults
- Mental Health America (MHA): Social Support: Getting And Staying Connected
- National Council on Aging (NCOA):
Handouts/Toolkits
- engAGED National Resource Center: Online Safety for Older Adults:
- National Institute on Aging (NIA): Social Isolation and Loneliness Outreach Toolkit
- World Health Organization: Reducing social isolation and loneliness among older people
Social Engagement
- AARP:
- Community Connections: This website can help you connect with people in your community by hearing from a friendly voice, joining a group, or starting a group.
- Connect 2Tools To Overcome Social Isolation: An electronic assessment to measure the risk of social isolation and also to find ways to become more connected.
- Administration for Community Living (ACL):
- Eldercare Locator: It is those who need assistance with state and local agencies on aging, as well as community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers.
- Commit to Connect initiative (includes articles, toolkits, and web recordings): About Social Isolation Resources and Staying Connected
- Nutrition and Aging Resource Center (includes articles, toolkits, and web recordings): Social Isolation Basics & Materials
- Advocacy & Services for LGBTQ+ Elders (SAGE):
- Social Isolation Rights and Resources
- The SAGEConnect program is partnering with the HearMe app to reduce loneliness. It is a place where everyone is not only seen and heard but also validated.
- engAGED National Resource Center:
- Implementing and Expanding Virtual Programming for Older Adults - A manual developed with Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) for organizations to use when planning virtual programs.
- Tapping into Technology to Stay Connected and Engaged - A consumer-friendly booklet that provides older adults with information on available technology options, how to access technology, and how technology can help them stay engaged and connected to their communities.
- What Works: Social Engagement Innovations and Best Practices - A publication to help organizations develop new programs to support older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers stay socially connected to their community.
- National Council on Aging (NCOA):
- National Institute on Aging (NIA): Loneliness and Social Isolation - Tips for Staying Connected (English) (Spanish)
- Senior Planet (OATS): Senior Planet
- Senior Planet, powered by OATS (Older Adults Technology Services), harnesses technology to change the way we age. Their courses, programs, and activities help seniors learn new skills, save money, get in shape, and make new friends.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Social Connection webpage
- Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community
- The advisory calls attention to the importance of social connection for individual health as well as on community-wide metrics of health and well-being, and conversely the significant consequences when social connection is lacking.
- Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community