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Insights into Rural Social Engagement Programming

There are unique considerations for developing social engagement activities to help older adults and caregivers living in rural and tribal communities. This month’s engAGED blog post focuses on rural aging and issues, including social isolation, that impact older adults living in rural communities. The blog post highlights key takeaways from the November engAGED webinar that featured the UMaine Center on Aging, Jefferson Area Board for Aging and the Wyandotte Nation Title VI Aging Program.

Importance of Adaptable Health Promotion Programs

Recent research shows that while physical distancing may protect at-risk groups from COVID-19, quarantine and isolation may worsen mental health—and suggests that adapting health promotion programs may help lessen these potential negative effects. This article suggests that, among older adults, social exclusion and social safety nets are social determinants of health that may be affected by physical distancing measures. The article highlights a student-led, community health promotion program that has scaled into a nationwide effort in Canada to improve social connection among older adults as an example of a successful adaptation of health promotion program.

Loneliness, Social Isolation and Mortality

A recent study published in the Journal of Aging and Mental Health found that mortality was higher among older women and men who are experiencing higher levels of loneliness or social isolation. This study is notable because the importance of social isolation and loneliness for survival and examination of gender differences are rarely analyzed in the same study. The article seeks to explore the separate and combined effects of social isolation and loneliness with consideration of gender differences.

Long-Term Pandemic Effects on People Living with Disability and Visual Impairment

There has been growing concern about the long-term impact of pandemic restrictions, particularly among people with disabilities. A recent study explored the long-term impact of the pandemic on loneliness, with a focus on people living with visual impairment. An online survey conducted in April 2020 and repeated in March 2021 found that loneliness was significantly higher in participants with a disability, particularly those with visual impairment, than in participants with no disabilities. Further research is needed to explore how different types of disability may have impacted health and well-being during the pandemic. 

Social Support and Loneliness Across Different Regions



A recent study investigated the relationship between structural social support, functional support and loneliness among older adults living in cities, towns and rural areas. The results showed that older adults living in cities and rural areas had higher structural social support and experienced less loneliness than older adults living in towns, with no difference in functional support. This study helps researchers better understand how different types of social support interact to decrease loneliness and suggests regional differences may require different approaches.

Arts and Creative Engagement: Successful Programs, Activities and Approaches

The December engAGED webinar focused on promoting social engagement through arts and creative expression. The webinar highlighted the impact of multidisciplinary, participatory art experiences on older adults and featured speakers who offered tips and strategies for Aging Network organizations to incorporate more arts into their social engagement programming.

• Older Adults Technology Services collaborated with the CDC Foundation to produce a free Digital Essential course for caregivers age 60+ and care recipients to help navigate the digital world. Click here to view the video series.
• A new issue brief from the RRF Foundation for Aging, Engaged and Thriving: Promoting Social and Intergenerational Connectedness, describes the Foundation’s approach to grantmaking and improving the quality of life for older adults. Consider applying for funding for your social engagement programs through RRF!
• Generations United hosted a virtual briefing on the impact of intergenerational shared sites. Watch the recording to learn about the value and importance of shared sites.

• JABA Shining Star Preschool: the importance of intergenerational connections (Charlottesville Tomorrow, October 14, 2021)
• Being a Grandparent Can Add Years to Your Life (Orlando Health, November 3, 2021)
• Online arts programming improves quality of life for isolated seniors (The Conversation, November 7, 2021)
• PODCAST: Combating older adults' loneliness during COVID – and beyond (Model D, November 9, 2021)
• Brief, Telephone-Based Interventions From Trained Professionals May Prevent Loneliness in Isolated Older Adults (Pharmacy Times, November 11, 2021)
• Program helps seniors with dementia stay active, engaged (The Brandon Sun, November 12, 2021)
• VA creates older Veterans’ social connections programs (Vantage Point, November 12, 2021)

• Webinar Series: Commit+Conversations (Social Health Labs, Ongoing Series)
• Webinar Series: NISC Programs of Excellence 2020 Winners (NISC, January 19, 2021 at 1:00 pm ET)
• Webinar: Dementia in the Community: Intergenerational Programming Aimed at Engaging Children, Youth, and People Living with Dementia (NADRC, January 19, 2021 at 3:00 pm ET)
• engAGED Webinar: Developing Volunteer Opportunities to Help Older Adults Stay Engaged (engAGED, January 27, 2021 at 2:00 pm ET)

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.