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New on the Blog: Key Takeaways on Social Engagement and Mental Health



This month’s blog post highlights key takeaways from our November webinar, which focused on successful programs and interventions to address social engagement and mental health. Read the blog post to find tips and strategies to develop comprehensive engagement opportunities that promote positive mental health outcomes for older adults.

Ways to Promote Engagement Among Consumers in January



Have you checked out engAGED’s calendar of social engagement opportunities? As part of the engAGED Community Awareness Toolkit, the calendar offers ideas to promote social engagement when highlighting observances and holidays throughout the year. For example, January is recognized as National Hobby Month! Take the opportunity to encourage consumers to try something new like learning to play an instrument or dabbling in arts and crafts. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed by many as a national day of service. Taking place in January, this is a great way to encourage older adults to get involved with their communities and volunteer in a meaningful way. And check out this resource from AmeriCorps for ideas, tips and a toolkit to start planning your own Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service project.

Effectiveness of a Community Intervention to Reduce Social Isolation Among Older People Living in Low-Income Neighborhoods

This study examined the impact of community interventions that promote resources to increase community participation on social connectedness among older adults living in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Compared to the control group, participants exposed to the community interventions experienced better mental health outcomes and increased social support.

Identifying Racial and Rural Disparities of Cognitive Functioning Among Older Adults: The Role of Social Isolation and Social Technology Use

This article highlighted results of a study whose findings demonstrated that greater technology use correlated with better cognitive functioning, particularly among Black/African American older adults. 

"I Loved Interacting with This Younger Generation": Exploring the Impact of a Virtual Service-Learning Program on Social Connectedness Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study investigated the impact older adult participation in a service-learning project had on their feelings of social connectedness during the pandemic. The project paired college students with older adults to conduct personal interviews, with older adult participants reporting better moods, feelings of purpose and reduced social isolation.

Social Isolation and Health Among Family Caregivers of Older Adults: Less Community Participation May Indicate Poor Self-Reported Health

Using data from the 2015 National Survey of Caregiving, this cross-sectional study looked at the prevalence of social isolation among caregivers of older adults and found that caregivers who reported less community participation (an indicator of social isolation) had worse self-reported health outcomes.

Social Connectedness as a Determinant of Mental Health: A Scoping Review

In this recent review, researchers examined 66 studies to determine whether social connectedness impacts mental health. Researchers found that most studies have shown social connectedness serves as a protective factor for depressive symptoms and disorders.  

Social Engagement and Housing: Effective Programs, Activities and Partnerships

Our latest webinar focused on effective programs and practices addressing social engagement and housing. Speakers included the American Association of Service Coordinators, Aging Ahead and PEP Housing. Check out the webinar recording and slides to learn more!

• USAging and the Eldercare Locator announced that the 2022 Home for the Holidays campaign is focused on encouraging older adults to volunteer in their communities. The campaign includes a variety of materials to help organizations spread the word about volunteer opportunities, including an informational brochure, sample social media and newsletter posts and a sample press release.



• A new information card from the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network, a national technical assistance center, describes the Network and what it can do for your organization. View this and other resources on the Network’s website at www.gksnetwork.org. 

• LeadingAge 2022: How Engagement Tools Create Connections in Senior Care (Health Tech, October 18, 2022)
• Technology Use, Loneliness, and Isolation: Are older adults overusing the Internet? How much is too much? (Psychology Today, October 19, 2022)
• As cold creeps in, older adults find creative ways to stay socially connected and physically active (MPR News, October 24, 2022)
• Don't Normalize Depression in Older Adults—Access to treatment among seniors is critical, just as with any other age group (Medpage Today, October 31, 2022)
• Left in isolation: how the online revolution failed our elderly people (The Guardian, October 31, 2022)
• New framework for understanding older adults' loneliness (Medical Xpress, November 3, 2022)
• How to help a lonely older adult during the holidays (Baylor College of Medicine, November 8, 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 $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.