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H-GAC SPOTLIGHT - AGING SERVICES | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Background | The holiday season is a time of sharing and giving of family, friends, traveling, food and gifts. However, for many older adults the holiday season can remind them of just how lonely and isolated they are. The American Association of Retired Persons Foundation (AARP) states “Isolation is more than being alone. It’s the result of feeling detached physically or psychologically, or being disconnected from support groups of family, friends and community.”
Social isolation and loneliness affect more than just someone’s emotional wellbeing. Research has linked social isolation and loneliness to higher risks of many physical and mental conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and even death.
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| | | | | | | | | Current Situation | The 2010 U.S. Census estimates that as many as 28% of adults age 65 and older lived alone in 2010. However, loneliness can also affect individuals who live with others, but who do not feel meaningful connections with other people.
How to combat isolation? The Area Agency on Aging (AAA), through its contractors, have several programs to help reduce isolation. Contractors in the region provide:
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Congregate centers where older adults socialize, eat meals and participate in group or individual activities.
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A home delivered meal and a brief welfare check on program participants. If the delivery driver notices any appearance, behavior or attitude changes of a consumer, the driver will report the difference. The contractor staff will follow-up with a telephone and/or a home visit.
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Home bound program participants telephone reassurance at least once a week and in some cases more. Contractors use volunteers to regularly call and visit with participants.
The AAA’s Long-term care Ombudsman program, throughout the year, regularly visit nursing home and assisted living facility residents. Staff and volunteer Ombudsmen also advocate for resident rights and quality of life, when necessary.
The Ombudsmen also sponsor a volunteer Silver Santa program during the holidays annually. Silver Santas are Ombudsman volunteers and staff, H-GAC staff, and their friends. Silver Santa’s visit and provide gifts to all residents, in preselected nursing homes in the region. The program provided approximately 100 staff donated gifts last year. This program plans to donate gifts to 150 residents this year.
The AARP Foundation has some good information about older adult isolation. Attached is an AARP flyer that identifies isolation issues and offers some solutions to reducing isolation. For more information visit the AARP Foundation website at https://connect2affect.org. |
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| | | | | | | | | Action Requested | No action requested. For information only. (Staff Contact: Curtis Cooper) |
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