Innovation in Action: 2025 Business Innovation Award Recipients Transform Care in Their Communities | | |
USAging’s Strengthening Social Connection in Communities (co-managed by the Aging and Disability Business Institute and the Engaged Resource Center) released three reports highlighting the impressive achievements of Senior Connection, Inc., Elder Services of Worcester Area, Inc., and United Disabilities Services Foundation, as awardees for The John A. Hartford Foundation 2025 Business Innovation Award. Learn more about these award-winning programs.
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Senior Connection, Inc., was honored for its partnership with UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Massachusetts and its innovative Care Express Rural Aging Health Access program. Senior Connection, Inc., teamed up with UnitedHealthcare to develop a mobile health outreach initiative to meet the needs of older adults, especially those in remote rural areas.
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Elder Services of Worcester Area, Inc. (ESWA), was honored for its partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and its successful Transition in Care program, which reduces emergency department visits by improving efficiency and lowering costs through coaching, assessments, and referrals, guiding patients to suitable alternative health care settings and strengthening social connection.
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United Disabilities Services Foundation (UDSF), was honored for their Advanced Care Management Solutions (ACMS) program that supports individuals 18 and older with complex clinical and social needs. UDSF—recipient of The John A. Hartford Foundation 2025 Business Innovation Award—is widely recognized for pioneering contracts with seven health systems and one behavioral health managed care organization in Pennsylvania.
The John A. Hartford Foundation 2026 Business Innovation Awards were recently announced at the 2026 USAging Conference and Tradeshow in San Diego. Detailed reports about these awardees’ partnerships will be released later this year.
| | Latest Blog Post: Recognizing National Senior Center Month | | September is recognized nationwide as National Senior Center Month. Led by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), this observance serves as an opportunity to boast the success of senior centers across the country. Our latest blog post highlights how senior centers are an essential hub for connection, providing so much more than information, resources and activities. Learn more about the vital role senior centers play in promoting engagement and how you can engage with them to strengthen your communities in this blog post. | | | Access Resources on Social Connection From the Answers on Aging Conference | | USAging recently held their 51st Annual Conference and Tradeshow, Answers on Aging on July 18–21, 2026, in San Diego. This Conference brought together leaders in aging well in home from all corners of the country. Throughout the Conference, thoughtful presentations were shared on a variety of topics from providing nutritious meals to emerging practices in promoting healthy aging. Be sure to check the USAging Conference website for materials. Resources include sessions and presentations from the Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Connection track. | | Ideas for Promoting Social Engagement This Season | | Summer means longer days and more opportunities to go out and engage with your community. Find new ways to promote social connection that tie into ongoing observances with the Engaged Calendar of Social Engagement Opportunities. This August honors National Friendship Day, American Family Day and National Senior Citizens Day. We encourage you to consider how you can celebrate with loved ones in your community whether through a shared meal, checking in with a neighbor or a walk around the park. | | |
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Innovations Hub Spotlight
Built on a group rehabilitation model, Circle of Friends© is an evidence-based, person-centered group intervention aimed at alleviating and preventing loneliness in older adults. With a focus on creativity, health and reflection, each session includes art and inspiring activities, group exercise, health-themed discussion and therapeutic writing with sharing and reflecting on issues related to loneliness. Find out more about this program and how other organizations are promoting social engagement across the country, by visiting the Innovations Hub.
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Exploring High Rates of Social Isolation and Loneliness in Subsidized Senior Housing
A scoping review of 14 studies was conducted to examine factors of subsidized senior housing that may influence the high rates of social isolation and loneliness. Although not conclusive, findings from the review suggest that there are multiple factors at play, including individual characteristics and the context of the environment. Researchers suggest that to decrease social isolation and loneliness, efforts should be made to strengthen individual capacity and foster a supportive environment.
Understanding Loneliness in Older Adults Utilizing Mental Health Services
In this 2026 study, researchers gathered qualitative data (through use of structured interviews) to collect information on how older adults using mental health services perceive loneliness. The article delves into the complex nature of loneliness, expressing how it can affect individuals differently over the course of their life and ways in which the study gave them a chance to put into words a feeling that can be hard to describe.
The Relationship of Social Network Use, Perceived Supports and Loneliness
This study explored the relationship between social network use, active aging, perceived social support and loneliness among older adults living in Turkey who actively use social media. The research found that perceived social support and social network usage did have an influence on an older adult's perception of their loneliness.
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engAGED Resource Spotlight
Stay Active Through Lifelong Learning is a customizable consumer fact sheet, developed in partnership with the National Resource Center for Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes. This fact sheet focuses on the many forms of lifelong learning and the benefits it provides for older adults.
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The U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) invites organizations to participate in the Cultivating Connected Communities Challenge by August 26. This national competition supports community garden projects working to expand accessibility, healthy eating and community connection for people with disabilities and older adults through practical, sustainable approaches.
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Commit to Connect, an ACL-led initiative coordinated by USAging, recently hosted the 2026 Annual National Summit to Increase Social Connections. This two-day virtual event highlighted how nutrition and physical activity are essential to the physical, mental and social health for older adults and people with disabilities. Resources from this event, including recordings and slides from both days, can be found on the Commit to Connect summit web page.
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The Foundation for Social Connection recently hosted a webinar on how arts, culture and leisure activities can be leveraged to advance social connection. The webinar includes a fireside chat with subject matter experts and builds off their SOCIAL Framework report. Access the webinar recording here.
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Generations United is now accepting applications for their Intergenerational Program Certification. Through this process, innovative intergenerational programs can apply for their two levels: Program of Distinction or Program of Merit. Applications for this certification are due by September 1.
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Commit to Connect hosted a webinar in May focused on the impact of falls prevention programs on social connectedness. This webinar highlighted how falls prevention programming can be a powerful intervention for maintaining and rebuilding social networks. Access the recording and slides from this event here.
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Trivia Nights, Valentine’s Cards: Overlooked Social Connections Can Prevent Suicide (KFF Health News, June 9, 2026)
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How Lifelong Learning Helps Older Adults Stay Sharp and Connected (Times Hearld, June 20, 2026)
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Social Fitness: Why Independent Living Communities Are Vital for Healthy Aging (U.S. News & World Report, June 24, 2026)
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Local 'Day of Joy' Combats Senior Loneliness (The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, June 25, 2026)
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Can Robots End Our Loneliness Crisis? (The Boston Globe, June 28, 2026)
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Seniors Are Spending More Time on Their Phones, AARP Says. Why That's a Mixed Blessing (CBS News, June 29, 2026)
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They’re Over 55 and Learning How to Socialize All Over Again in Koreatown (The LA Local, June 29, 2026)
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How Retirement can Deepen Feelings of Loneliness in Seniors (WJON, June 29, 2026)
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What Do I Do When I Cannot Walk Outside? Loneliness and Social Isolation in a Time of Climate Crisis (Psychology Today, July 3, 2026)
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How Loneliness Affects Your Health and Lifespan (Breaking AC, July 7, 2026)
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