Social Isolation

The Administration for Community Living’s (ACL) Commit to Connect (CTC) initiative recently released a resource dedicated to supporting social connections for people who have dementia. This resource highlights easily replicable programs such as memory cafes and art or music-focused activities, providing practical examples for enhancing social engagement. In addition, it provides valuable communication tips for interacting with individuals with dementia and encourages active participation in the Commit to Connect Nationwide Network of Champions, fostering a collaborative approach to combat social isolation across diverse demographics.

Are you looking for ways to partner with other organizations to promote social connectedness through shared programming with young and older persons? Submit your application to join other service providers as they share and gain wisdom on how intergenerational programming can support social connectedness. USAging is hosting this no-cost, four-month Community of Practice, on Zoom, from August to November 2022. The goal of the Intergenerational Community of Practice is to facilitate the development and enhancement of intergenerational programming aimed at addressing social isolation and loneliness .

ACL has released a new brief, Leveraging Innovation, Collaboration, and Data with Assistive Technology to Reduce Social Isolation and Loneliness: Success Story from Illinois. This brief highlights a model and innovative partnership at both the federal and state levels that successfully purchased and distributed technology devices to older adults and people with disabilities served by local agencies in order to reduce social isolation and loneliness.

The Research & Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities has released a report on the effects of social isolation and loneliness have on people with disabilities living in rural and urban areas. Findings from the research report include: -People with disabilities report more than double the rates of social isolation and loneliness than people without disabilities -Rural people with disabilities report significantly fewer social connections but similar rates of loneliness compared to urban people with disabilities -Structural barriers related to employment and transportation may play a role in social isolation and loneliness disparities among people with disabilities

This blog post by Keri Lipperini, ACL's Director of the Office of Nutrition and Health Promotion Programs, discusses how social isolation during COVID-19 has affected the health and wellbeing of older adults. The post also highlights ACL programs that are targeting this issue, including PEARLS, Healthy IDEAS, and BRITE, which are three evidence-based programs that aim to reduce the risk of suicide by tackling depression and substance abuse among older adults.

ACL’s Administration on Aging funds “Innovations in Nutrition” grants to support the quality, effectiveness, and outcomes of the nutrition programs funded through the Older Americans Act. The nutrition programs work to reduce food insecurity, hunger, and malnutrition; enhance socialization; and promote the health and well-being of older adults. This guest blog post features Innovations in Nutrition grantees as they describe how one project is helping build capacity within the aging network.

The EngAGED National Resource Center has released this data brief summarizing a survey of organizations within the aging network to see what social engagement programs were offered during the COVID-19 pandemic to older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers.

ACL issued grants totaling $1.4B to help older adults recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, funded through the American Rescue Plan. These grants will help provide meals and nutrition services, support family caregivers, help older adults connect and engage with others to reduce social isolation, re-open senior centers, and help residents of nursing homes resolve complaints.

OATS, in partnership with the Humana Foundation, released a report in January 2021 that for the first time quantifies the size and degree of the digital isolation crisis among seniors in the United States. OATS reviewed existing literature and reports on digital inclusion and online participation by older adults, along with program and internal research data that OATS has collected over time. Download the report to learn their findings.

Thank you to all of the states and organizations who have responded with activities, ideas, and actions taken to address social isolation for older adults during the COVID-19 crisis. The following document combines responses received thus far. Please continue to submit state, CBO, and facility activities to ADvancing States so that we may continue to share practices from across the country. Thank you for all you are doing to help decrease loneliness in older adults! UPDATED: 10.14.20