Circle of Friends Program Targets Loneliness and Social Isolation

AAA AREA AGENCY ON AGING

Circle of Friends Program Targets Loneliness has long been a serious Loneliness and problem for older adults. With the pandemic, health and mental Social Isolation health issues have been exacerbated by circumstances – home orders, closed senior centers and churches, fewer family gatherings, restrictions on hospital and nursing home visitation. All have brought a face to the problem of loneliness.

Loneliness Linked to Serious Health Conditions

Loneliness and social isolation in older adults are public health risks. Older adults are more likely to face living alone, loss of family, chronic illness and hearing loss.

The AARP Foundation and the National Council on Aging, in extensive studies, found older adults who describe themselves as lonely have a 59% greater risk of functional decline and a 45% greater risk of death. Surveys reported 17% of adults aged 65 and older are isolated (nearly 1 in 5), with 46% of women aged 75 and older living alone.

Isolation is harmful at any age but is especially dangerous for people over 50. The health risks of prolonged isolation have been found to be equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Social isolation and loneliness are associated with higher blood pressure, increased susceptibility to the flu, greater risk of heart disease, the earlier onset of dementia, depression and $6.7 billion in additional Medicare spending annually.

Some of the most prevalent causes of isolation reported by the AARP Foundation are: n Transportation challenges n Poor health and well-being including hearing loss, mobility impairments, frailty, and poor mental health

Local nursing home resident shows off her robotic dog. Prior to receiving her new pet, Ms. T. practically did not speak, but now she is not only talking to her dog, she takes it everywhere and is telling everyone about him.

n Societal barriers, such as lack of opportunities for older adults to engage and contribute, to have meaningful activities n Lack of access and inequity, including issues of poverty, rural living and marginalized groups

So, what can help mitigate this? No matter the future, loneliness will continue to be a challenge for older adults. The Area Agency on Aging is increasing resources to address this issue by developing the Circle of Friends program.

The Circle of Friends program will include:

1Intervention by a social worker to address needs and provide home visitation when indicated.

2Friendly Calling: The telephone reassurance program aimed at addressing feelings of social isolation and improving mental and emotional well-being through increased socialization and friendships. The Area Agency on Aging RSVP Volunteer program will be expanded to offer friendly phone visitation, and in-person visitation when indicated between matched “friends” utilizing volunteers who have been prescreened.

3Social Isolation Resources: To improve social connectedness the Area Agency on Aging will provide the following resources: n A home study toolkit and small groups calls for Chronic Disease

Self-Management classes. n Feeling Good and Staying

Connected workbooks to educate in habits to relieve loneliness, offers engagement activities and ways to improve connections. n On-line resources with free access to many social, educational and health zoom classes through GetSetUP,

Connect2Affect and Trualta. n Robotic pet dogs and cats for persons with dementia

The Area Agency on Aging will offer free GetSetUp virtual senior center classes to those able to benefit from live zoom social get-togethers, health, travel, educational and technology classes. Trualta classes will also be available free on-line for isolated caregivers. These resources help older adults stay mentally, spiritually, and physically fit, with activities that reduce isolation and associated negative health and mental health impacts.

Circle of Friends is open to anyone age 60 or over in Mobile County who lives alone or is homebound, has little or no family or friend support, or simply would like someone to talk to on a regular basis. To volunteer for the friendly calling program, to sign up for virtual GetSetUp or Trualta classes or home wellness classes, to enroll in the Circle of Friends program or to obtain a robotic pet for a persons with dementia, contact the Area Agency on Aging at 251-706-4680. ~