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Bridging the Digital Divide to Increase Social Engagement

On April 27 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm ET, engAGED will hold a webinar highlighting how the Aging Network can help older adults access virtual social engagement opportunities by helping connect older adults to affordable broadband. Older Adults Technology Services will share details on its Aging Connected program and what this work means for the Aging Network and the consumers it serves. The Federal Communications Commission will then provide details on the Affordable Connectivity Program. Attendees will also hear from a local Area Agency on Aging on how it is helping consumers get connected to broadband and how organizations can create similar strategies. 

New on the Blog: Partnership with Parks and Recreation Agencies to Promote Social Engagement

This month’s blog post highlights key takeaways from our February webinar, which focused on how the Aging Network and partner organizations can work with parks and recreation agencies to foster social engagement. Check out the blog post for brief takeaways from the 60-minute webinar.

Loneliness, Not Social Support, Is Associated with Cognitive Decline and Dementia Across Two Longitudinal Population-Based Cohorts

A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease reviewed data from over 6,000 individuals across two population-based cohorts, and found that feeling a sense of loneliness, versus the presence of available social support, predicted cognitive decline and dementia, independent of symptoms of depression.

Staying Connected in Old Age: Associations Between Bonding Social Capital, Loneliness and Well-Being and the Value of Digital Media

A cross-sectional study of 349 older adults published results in the Journal of Aging and Mental Health. The results show that bonding social capital, or connections between similar groups of people, is an important factor in positive aging. In other words, connections with people who share similar experiences or interests, can contribute to healthy aging. The study also found that using digital media to facilitate access to groups of people with shared interests had a greater impact on healthy aging than simply expanding the number of social contacts.

Evaluation of Social Isolation, Loneliness and Cardiovascular Disease Among Older Women in the US

This cohort study examined whether there are associations between social isolation, loneliness and cardiovascular disease among older women. Findings indicate that older women with greater social isolation and greater loneliness had a 13 to 27 percent higher risk of cardiovascular disease, compared with women who reported lower rates of social isolation and loneliness.

Webinar Recording: Partners in Social Engagement: Collaborating With Faith Communities

Our March 17 webinar focused on how partnerships with faith-based groups and communities can provide social engagement opportunities for older adults and caregivers. During the webinar, USAgainstAlzheimer’s shared insights into the relationship between faith and social isolation and highlighted examples of ways faith communities help promote social engagement for people living with dementia. AgeOptions and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota described how they partner with faith-based groups to provide social engagement opportunities for older adults and caregivers. View the slides and webinar recording.

• AARP and the Global Council on Brain Health released the Boosters for Joy resource guide, which contains an array of ideas and options for connecting and engaging safely, such as links to articles, videos, events, volunteer opportunities, podcasts, music and arts activities, and more.
• Check out a new webinar recording from Kaiser Health News and The John A. Hartford Foundation, which featured a panel discussion exploring how older adults are faring as the pandemic enters its third year. The panel included diverse older adults and addressed topics like coping with persistent stress and sources of strength and support.
• The National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health has an animated video geared for older adults with tips on preventing and reducing social isolation and loneliness.

• Students Developing App to Address Social Isolation Among Elderly Adults (The State Press, February 2, 2022)
• Social Isolation and Loneliness Increase Heart Disease Risk in Senior Women (UC San Diego, February 2, 2022)
• Clark County, Wash., Offers Tech Training for Seniors (Government Technology, February 7, 2022)
• Researchers awarded over $1M to address technology disparities facing older adults (UTSA, February 8, 2022)
• How virtual reality helps curb social isolation among local senior citizens (ABC Action News TampaBay, February 16, 2022)
• Women, Older Adults With College Degrees More Likely To Feel Isolated During Pandemic (Texas A&M Today, February 21, 2022)

• engAGED Webinar: Bridging The Digital Divide To Increase Social Engagement (engAGED, April 27, 2022 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.