The Ohio Masonic Home Resource Center News

loneliness & soCiAl isolAtion

Older Adults experienced loneliness and social isolation before COVID, but now it is more prevalent. Did you know that loneliness and social isolation have health risks? Per the CDC, social isolation was associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia and other serious medical conditions.

Loneliness is the feeling of being alone, regardless of the amount of social contact. Social isolation is a lack of social connections. Social isolation can lead to loneliness in some people, while others can feel lonely without being socially isolated.

Risk Factors for Loneliness and Social Isolation in Older Adults:

Social: Living alone, loss of significant other, family separation, few friends, being a caregiver for a spouse Psychological: Depression, anxiety, and/or dementia Physical: Poor health, serious illness, decreased mobility, and loss of independence Economic: Limited financial resources Logistical: Loss of driver’s license or lack of transportation

This is a real problem that older adults face. So, what can we do now that we know the risks of loneliness and social isolation? Our Masonic Family can help in the following ways:

• Utilize your Masonic Volunteer Committees to make visits, take meals, make phone calls, send cards, or help with transportation. • If you don’t have a volunteer committee, let’s get one started! Contact your local Community

Outreach Coordinator, and they can reach out and get them connected to the right resources in their community. • Lodges can put together widow’s luncheons, provide care packages to shut-ins, and provide transportation to lodge meetings. By working together in partnership, we can make a difference in older adult's lives, and in turn, they will impact your life as well.

“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others” -Audrey Hepburn

the ohio MAsoniC hoMe resourCe Center

The Resource Center is an extension of The Ohio Masonic Home. We offer a Call Center that connects clients to services, whether they live on one of our campuses, in another facility, or their own home. With six Community Outreach Coordinators located throughout the state, we can help clients clinically, financially, and socially, if they are a Mason, the wife or widow of a Mason, an Ohio Eastern Star member, or even a non-Mason. We do this by providing information and connecting clients to resources in their area. We make referrals and complete home visits to better assess our clients’ needs. We also give and receive support financially through our Foundation.

Did you know that we have a financial assistance program that can help with emergency health and safety needs? Our off-site financial assistance program can also help pay for longer term needs like private duty home care to help people stay at home, or assisted living, including memory care, for those that qualify. Contact us for more information (877-881-1623). We also offer a Bereavement Program, a Masonic Volunteer Program, and the Masonic Youth Outreach Program.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it has raised awareness of the importance of matters related to mental health since it was established in 1949. It was at this time that an annual tradition began recognizing and promoting acceptance by providing awareness, support, and education related to the matter. Mental health conditions can stem from a number of reasons, whether genetic and/or as a response brought on by a traumatic event. Despite the stigma that has been associated with it in the past, through awareness, it has started to be more commonly discussed, and the realization for treatment has become more prevalent. Mental illness has been around since the beginning of time and will remain; as a result, knowing this and treating it is very important to ensure that everyone has the best quality of life possible.

Whether an individual is seeking one on one counseling and/or the support from a group there are resources available for anyone that finds themselves living with mental health related conditions through personal experiences and/or related to a family member or loved one. What should I do? Where should I start? Who should I reach out to? Do I really need help? The list can continue related to the many questions you may have related to mental health; however, there are answers to these questions, and organizations that can help guide you to those answers.

There is FREE and confidential outreach available through The Ohio Masonic Resource Center, where you have the opportunity to discuss your thoughts, concerns, and fears. In addition, you have the option to have your own personal Community Outreach Coordinator that can help connect you to resources that can help you answer these questions and more.

Through the Resource Center, you are never alone, and a friend is only a phone call away. Although May is Mental Health Awareness month it is an ongoing topic and matter that we see and/or live every day. As a result, the Resource Center is available to discuss this and any other concerns that you may have.

hAve you reCeived A survey froM us?

We’ve been reaching out to our Lodges and volunteers to ask about the different needs you see in your communities. Completing this survey will help us better understand the needs in the communities we serve and expand our services to meet those needs. If you have not received a survey and would like one, or to call in your report, please contact Samantha Loy, Resource Center Director, at 937-504-4407 or email sloy@ohiomasonichome.org.

If you or someone you know could benefit from the Resource Center please connect to the Community Outreach Coordinator in your area today.

Call toll-free 1-877-881-1623 or visit www.omhresourcecenter.org

Samantha Loy

Director, OMH Resource Center & NE Ohio Community Outreach Coordinator (937) 504-4407

Raquel Brown, LPN

NW Ohio Community Outreach Coordinator & Masonic Youth Outreach Program Coordinator (419) 260-0855

Bobbi Schickler, CSA

Certified Senior Advisor® SW Ohio Community Outreach Coordinator & Masonic Bereavement Program Coordinator (513) 567-1100

DeAnna Kinney, LSW

SE Ohio Community Outreach Coordinator & Masonic Volunteer Program Coordinator (740) 262-1974

Dan Shirk Trinity Davidson, BSW

Central Ohio Community Outreach Coordinator (937) 926-4305

Southern Ohio Community Outreach Coordinator (740) 970-7903

Millie McNeal

Financial Assistance Coordinator (937) 525-3005