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Updated Tools from engAGED to Help the Aging Network Raise Awareness of Social Engagement Opportunities

With the COVID-19 pandemic prompting many adaptations to social engagement activities, engAGED updated our Community Awareness Toolkit to help organizations in the Aging Network promote their activities—and the importance of social engagement. The Toolkit contains customizable materials including a consumer brochure, infographics, fact sheets, a PowerPoint presentation, sample newsletter and social media language, the UCLA Three-Item Loneliness Scale and a calendar of social engagement opportunities. Learn how your organization can best use these tools.

engAGED and Commit to Connect Virtual Social Engagement Summit: A Recap

Earlier this month engAGED and Commit to Connect co-hosted a Virtual Social Engagement Summit. This two-day Summit brought together researchers and national, state and local leaders for interactive discussions on the current state of social isolation research and practical implications for the social engagement work of the aging and disability networks and partner organizations. Be sure to check out the recording and materials from the Summit to find examples of creative solutions that promote social engagement and address social isolation that you can replicate at the local level. 

Serving People Living with Dementia: Programs and Interventions to Promote Social Engagement

Our next webinar will focus on social engagement for people living with dementia. During the September 19 webinar, Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center will provide a framer on social isolation and loneliness among people living with dementia. Pima Council on Aging and Gateway Geriatric Education Center will then highlight programs and interventions that help people living with dementia and caregivers stay socially engaged. All speakers will share tips to help organizations develop, implement and sustain these social engagement opportunities.

Commit to Connect: Join This Initiative to Fight Social Isolation and Loneliness   

This blog post written by USAging's Commit to Connect team spotlights the work of the Commit to Connect initiative and shares how you can get involved. Check out the post to learn more about the Nationwide Network of Champions and how you can join others from across the country to engage in shared learning and collaborative efforts. The blog also highlights other ways Commit to Connect addresses social isolation and loneliness.  

engAGED Receives Two Awards from the 2022 Mature Media Awards 

We are proud to announce that engAGED was a winner in the 2022 National Mature Media Awards Program! The program, presented by the Mature Market Resource Center, a national clearinghouse for the older adult market, recognizes the nation’s finest marketing, communications, educational materials and programs designed and produced for older adults. engAGED received a Bronze award for Tapping Into Technology to Stay Connected and Engaged, a joint booklet produced in partnership with the Eldercare Locator and Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP, as well as a Merit award for the engAGED Innovations Hub. We hope you will download and share this publication in your community and visit the Innovations Hub for inspiration for your next social engagement program!

A Systematic Review of Loneliness and Social Isolation Among Hispanic/Latinx Older Adults in the United States

This systematic review analyzed 17 studies to examine loneliness and social isolation specifically in Hispanic/Latinx older adults. The studies found loneliness is associated with a greater number of comorbid conditions and social isolation is associated with worse physical health within this population.

Loneliness Among Older Adults in Europe: The Relative Importance of Early and Later-Life Conditions

Using data from the Survey on Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), researchers studied the relationship between life circumstances in childhood and feelings of loneliness in older adults. Researchers found that strong correlations exist, suggesting the importance of social support in older age and early life interventions that address loneliness. Community interventions that are adapted to different personality types can also help increase social engagement among older adults.

The Relationships Between Social Support and Loneliness: A meta-analysis and Review

A meta-analysis conducted to determine the relationship between loneliness and social isolation found a negative correlation exists between higher levels of social support and loneliness. The study’s findings demonstrate the role social support can play in reducing loneliness. The relationship between loneliness and social isolation was moderated by several factors, including friend support, which played a more important role in reducing loneliness than support from families or significant others.

Do Internalized Age Stereotypes Mediate the Relationship Between Volunteering and Social Connectedness for Adults 50+?

A cross-sectional study assessed whether internalized age stereotypes serve as a mediator in the relationship between volunteering and social connectedness for older adults. Evidence suggests that internalized positive age stereotypes partially mediate this relationship and volunteering may promote positive views of aging.

• A recent partnership between Mon Ami and the Council on Aging of Central Oregon evaluated the impact of interventions aimed at reducing social isolation and loneliness. They have distilled from their work eight tips and resources to help others create similar programs and demonstrate the positive impact of these programs on addressing isolation, loneliness and anxiety.
• This paper describes research-driven guidelines for delivering tele-wellness interventions to older adults through utilization of videoconferencing. Included are strategies for designing programs, how to support remote participants and tips to promote social engagement. 
• The Coalition to End Social Isolation & Loneliness (CESIL) and its partners the Foundation for Social Connection and “Far From Alone,” led by Humana, Inc., hosted Conversations on Belonging, Connection, & Wellbeing. This event, held in conjunction with Global Loneliness Awareness Week, brought together national leaders and diverse organizations to discuss the growing crisis and call for action. Check out the recorded segments and a reflection.

• Loneliness among older people: A research roundup (The Mandarin, July 7, 2022)
• Furry friends help seniors feel less lonely (Fairfax County Times, July 8, 2022)
• Digital divide creates challenges in connecting older adults to post-pandemic resources (KRCR, July 8, 2022)
• Social Isolation Among Older Adults Is Tied to Risk for Dementia (Neurology Advisor, July 13, 2022)
• For older LGBT caretakers, together can still feel alone against aging and illness (Los Angeles Daily News, July 19, 2022)
• The Changing Role of the Caregiver (Next Avenue, July 19, 2022)
• Reducing loneliness is good for older people and wider society too (Newsroom, July 20, 2022)
• Seniors And Younger Adults Find Benefits In Being Roommates (Simplemost, July 20, 2022)

• engAGED Webinar: Serving People Living with Dementia: Programs and Interventions to Promote Social Engagement (September 19 from 12:00-1:00 pm ET)
• engAGED Office Hours: Transportation and Social Engagement (September 28 from 1:00-2:00 pm ET)
• Virtual Event: Foundation for Social Connection’s 2022 End Social Isolation and Loneliness Action Forum (October 11-13, 2022)

This project #90EECC0002 is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $300,000 (or 74 percent) funded by ACL/HHS and $106,740 (or 26 percent) funded by non-government sources. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.