News from engAGED
August 2023
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New Consumer Fact Sheets on Safe Use of Technology and Social Engagement Activities | |
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Tips on Connecting Consumers to Affordable Technology
Check out our latest blog post to learn how organizations can connect consumers to technology and engagement opportunities through the Affordable Connectivity Program and state Assistive Technology Act Programs. The blog post also contains a local program example of events, information about tech support, training and tools that the Baltimore County Department of Aging provides to connect consumers to broadband and mobile devices.
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Physical Fitness and Social Engagement
Did you miss our August webinar focused on physical fitness and social engagement? Watch the recording to discover ways you can use physical activity as a hook to promote social engagement among older adults and potential partners for collaboration at the local level!
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Get Ideas for Promoting Social Engagement This Fall
Use the engAGED calendar of social engagement opportunities to find ways to promote social engagement throughout the year. National Grandparents Day is in September, so organizations may consider collaborating with local schools to plan intergenerational activities or organizing a National Grandparents Day event for consumers and their families and friends. Other observances your organization may wish to recognize in September include National Falls Prevention Awareness Month, National Preparedness Month, World Alzheimer’s Day, Good Neighbor Day, National Dance Day and National Hispanic Heritage Month.
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engAGED Receives a 2023 Mature Media Award
We are proud to announce that engAGED was a winner in the 2023 National Mature Media Awards Program! The program, presented by the Mature Market Resource Center, a national clearinghouse for the older adult market, recognizes marketing, communications, educational materials and programs designed and produced for older adults. engAGED received a Silver award for Staying OK: Tips for Supporting Your Social Connections and Emotional Wellness, a joint publication produced in partnership with the Eldercare Locator. We hope you will download, co-brand and share this publication in your community!
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Social Participation Activities and Successful Aging
This study found people who participated in volunteer or charity work and recreational activities with others such as bridge, cards or gardening were more likely to experience successful aging compared to those who did not participate in these activities.
Older Immigrant Adults and Social Isolation
Findings from this study suggest older immigrants have fewer social connections and are at risk of social isolation and loneliness due to linguistic challenges and leaving their familiar social group. Access to senior centers, community programs and other services can help older immigrants build social networks.
Impact of Non-Pharmacological Interventions on Loneliness
A review published in the Journal of Nursing Studies found that psychological interventions most improve loneliness among older adults, followed by exercise-based interventions, non-digital social support interventions and behavioral activation interventions.
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Innovations Hub Spotlight
The Social Check-In Service, developed by the University of Iowa, supports people with disabilities as well as their families and caregivers through friendly calls and texts, one-on-one Zoom sessions and virtual group activities. To learn more about this program and other replicable social engagement innovations from across the country, visit the engAGED Innovations Hub.
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A recent episode of the Only7Seconds Podcast featured Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, the engAGED Project Research Advisor. Dr. Holt-Lunstad discussed the impact of loneliness on health, the difference between loneliness and isolation, the importance of social health and action steps to pursue better connections and health.
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A new blog post series from Commit to Connect highlights short interviews with Commit to Connect Champions that provide a snapshot of innovative efforts to promote social connection. Rebecca Levine, Senior Program Manager of engAGED and Commit to Connect Champion, is featured in the most recent blog post.
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A webinar from the Longevity Project brought together loneliness experts and contributors to the Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community to discuss the loneliness epidemic, the advisory and possible solutions.
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Social isolation tied to higher risk for nursing home entry (Medical Xpress, July 28, 2023)
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How Gratitude May Mitigate Loneliness (Psychology Today, August 2, 2023)
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Older Adults and Mental Health: What to Watch for and How to Help (Cleveland Clinic, August 4, 2023)
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Tech Keeps Older Adults Connected (Next Avenue, August 4, 2023)
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Loneliness Linked to Insomnia Symptoms in Middle-Aged and Older Adults (Duke University School of Medicine, August 7, 2023)
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A crisis of isolation is making heat waves more deadly (Grist, August 8, 2023)
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Census Bureau releases new report on aging veterans (The Highland County Press, August 11, 2023)
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Can a Robot "Friend” Ease Loneliness? (The Goodmen Project, August 11, 2023)
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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 $450,000 (or 74 percent) funded by ACL/HHS and $161,554 (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. | | | | |
