News from engAGED
October 2021
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Call for Social Engagement Innovations
Does your organization have an innovative social engagement program that other organizations can learn from? If so, consider submitting it to the engAGED Call for Innovations! Submissions to the Call for Innovations will be considered for inclusion in the engAGED Innovations Hub. This searchable clearinghouse contains replicable examples of local programs and projects that promote the social engagement of older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers, like the Baltimore County Department of Aging’s Living Connected Initiative highlighted in this month’s Innovations Hub spotlight. Learn more about the opportunity and submit your programs by November 19!
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Upcoming Webinar: Addressing Social Isolation in Rural America
Join us for a webinar on November 19 at 1:00 pm ET focused on addressing social isolation of older adults living in rural and tribal areas. During the webinar, the UMaine Center on Aging will provide background on rural aging and issues that impact older adults living in rural and tribal communities, including social isolation. Attendees will also hear from the Jefferson Area Board for Aging and the Wyandotte Nation Title VI program on the local social engagement activities they have developed to help older adults and caregivers living in rural and tribal areas stay engaged and connected as well as strategies other organizations can implement.
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Fostering Social Engagement During the Holidays
The holiday season can bring about feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This month’s engAGED blog post highlights creative ways organizations can help older adults celebrate the holiday season, even when they may not be able to be with family and friends in person. The blog post also includes tips for developing programming to help foster engagement during the holiday season.
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Social Isolation's Impact on Recovery from Serious Hospitalization
Research from Yale and the University of Maryland found older adults who are socially isolated before hospitalization in the ICU have an increased risk of disability and mortality in the year following their hospitalization. Programs to increase social engagement and connectedness help reduce social isolation among older adults recovering from critical illness, and the study’s researchers plan to focus future analyses on improving social participation among older adults recovering from hospitalizations (U.S. News & World Report, 2021).
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Social Isolation and Fall Risk During COVID-19 Pandemic
A recent survey suggests the pandemic has negatively impacted fall risk and physical functioning among older adults experiencing social isolation and reduced physical activity. Researchers’ analysis of the survey results found decreased physical activity and time spent on one’s feet and increased social isolation were associated with worsened physical condition and mobility among respondents. Worsened mobility was associated with a greater risk of falling and fear of falling, while worsened physical condition and social isolation were associated with a greater fear of falling.
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Addressing Social Isolation Through Health Care Contracting
The October engAGED webinar, held in partnership with USAging’s Aging and Disability Business Institute, focused on how community-based organizations (CBOs) can work with health plans to address social isolation. The webinar provided information on the health impacts of social isolation and opportunities for CBOs to contract with health care plans to address this growing concern. The Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio then discussed its partnerships with various health care entities to provide social engagement programming to older adults.
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Innovations Hub Spotlight
The Baltimore County Department of Aging’s (BCDA) Living Connected Initiative developed No Senior Eats Alone Day (NSEAD) in 2019 as part of their work to raise awareness of and reduce social isolation. NSEAD encourages community members to invite an older adult to share a meal and conversation, with local restaurant partners offering discounts and deals and other BCDA programs and partners holding special events. In 2021, BCDA promoted NSEAD by working with restaurants, places of worship, housing buildings, community associations, County officials, first responders and more to connect with older adults—including those who are homebound or living in long-term care facilities. Visit the engAGED Innovations Hub to learn more about this program, and access other replicable social engagement examples from communities across the country.
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Looking for funding for your social engagement programs? The RRF Foundation for Aging funds direct service, research, professional education/training and other innovative projects within its priority areas that help older adults successfully age in community settings. Learn more about RRF’s priority areas, including social and intergenerational connectedness, and current funding opportunities.
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A virtual event hosted by Devex and AARP focused on overcoming barriers to digital inclusion for older adults. Older Adults Technology Services Executive Director Tom Kamber shared scalable solutions to close the digital divide, including the role community-based organizations can play, the need for infrastructure to increase internet access and the importance of involving older adults in early thinking on technology design.
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Together again: Social ties boost health as friends and family gather (The Dallas Morning News, September 1, 2021)
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How housing that mixes young and old can improve the lives of both (Washington Post, September 14, 2021)
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Socializing may improve older adults' cognitive function in daily life (Penn State News, September 14, 2021)
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Where you live may protect you from dementia (Futurity, September 22, 2021)
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COVID-19 Pandemic Underscores the Need to Address Social Isolation and Loneliness (Sage Journals, September 29, 2021)
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Grocery Store Opens ‘Chat Registers’ for Lonely Customers (Vice, September 30, 2021)
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