News from engAGED

July 2023

News

Join us for a webinar on August 24 from 1:00-2:00 PM ET focused on strategies for how organizations can use physical activity as a hook to promote and encourage social engagement among older adults. Attendees will hear from the YMCA of the USA, the National Council on Aging and the National Recreation and Park Association on fitness activities that also provide opportunities for social connection and learn about potential partners for collaboration at the local level.

Did you miss our July webinar focused on connecting consumers to affordable technology to bridge the digital divide? Watch the recording and view the webinar slides!

Tips on Supporting the Social Engagement of People Living with Dementia

Check out our latest blog post to learn about program examples and resources to consider when developing memory cafés, day programs, or other programs and activities to help people living with dementia remain engaged and connected. The blog post also contains information on how you can foster community and individual impact to support people living with dementia.

Get Ideas for Promoting Social Engagement This Summer

Use the engAGED calendar of social engagement opportunities to find ways to promote social engagement throughout the year. National Book Lovers Day falls in August, so organizations may consider hosting a book club or organizing a trip to the local library. Other observances your organization may wish to recognize in August include National Senior Citizens Day and American Family Day.

Recent Research

Loneliness Among Caring Relatives of Individuals with Chronic Illness

This study found that loneliness is experienced in a similar way by caregivers, regardless of age (of caregiver or care recipient) and relationship to care recipient who are caring for an individual with a chronic illness. The study identified possible stressors caregivers may experience, which can help shape practice.

Social Support for Caregivers of People Living with Dementia

Research from this study found that caregivers who use formal resources (day care center or residential center resources) experience less burden and social isolation and have a higher positive coping compared to caregivers who only use informal resources (social media).

Healthy Aging and Association with Loneliness in Older Adults

This study examined the relationship between loneliness and the five domains of functional ability of older adults outlined in the World Health Organization’s Healthy Ageing Framework. The study found being mobile, building and maintaining relationships, and learning, growing and making decisions were significantly associated with less loneliness in older adults.

Innovations Hub Spotlight

The Power of Personalized Music: Intergenerational Music & Memory/Alive Inside Program developed by AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois engages high school students to create personalized music playlists for older adults with dementia to improve their moods and foster connection. To learn more about this project and other replicable social engagement innovations from across the country, visit the engAGED Innovations Hub.

Resources

A new fact sheet from USAging highlights social engagement data from the 2022 National Survey of Area Agencies on Aging. The fact sheet showcases social engagement programs and activities provided by AAAs, programs AAAs are providing tailored to specific communities and partners AAAs are working with on social engagement.
A recent webinar from Commit to Connect focused on state-level leadership in promoting social engagement and addressing social isolation and loneliness, featuring spotlights from two state-level social engagement initiatives.
Meals on Wheels America partnered with researchers from the School of Public Health at Brown University to evaluate the effectiveness of social connection programming offered by the Meals on Wheels network. Read the full report or research brief to learn more.
A recent episode of the Let’s Get Moving with Maria podcast featured Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, the engAGED Project Research Advisor. Dr. Holt-Lunstad discussed the loneliness epidemic and what can be done to overcome the epidemic.
Harvard Human Flourishing Program, The Foundation for Social Connection and Healthy Places by Design are hosting the Building Connected Communities conference, with support from the Einhorn Collaborative. This event is an action forum for leaders working to address social isolation, loneliness and connection and will take place both in person in Boston, MA and virtually October 12-14.

Articles

Study suggests loneliness could worsen bone health in males (The News International, June 25, 2023)
Collaboration aims to improve social cognitive skills to combat loneliness and dementia (Inside Aging, June 26, 2023)
LGBTQ elders risk aging in isolation. Nonprofit organizations are trying to change that (The Buffalo News, June 28, 2023)
Fighting loneliness by finding purpose (Washington University in St. Louis, June 29, 2023)
How radio supports older adults’ well-being (Medical Xpress, July 5, 2023)
What friends of other ages — and life stages — can teach us (The Washington Post, July 13, 2023)
Healthcare Companion Robots Powered by AI Could Help Alleviate Loneliness Among Older People (Tech Times, July 13, 2023)
Isolation and Loneliness May Shrink the Brain in Older Adults (Everyday Health, July 19, 2023)

Social Engagement Events

Commit to Connect Webinar: Innovative Volunteer Models to Promote Social Connection (August 1, 2023 from 12:00 to 1:00 PM ET)
engAGED Webinar: Physical Fitness and Social Engagement: Strategies, Activities and Partners (August 24, 2023 from 1:00 to 2:00 PM ET)
Action Forum: Building Connected Communities conference (October 12-14, 2023, Boston, MA or virtual)

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.