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Four surveys (by Cigna, AARP, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the University of Michigan) have examined the extent of loneliness and social isolation in older adults in the past year. And health insurers, health-care systems, senior housing operators and social service agencies are launching or expanding initiatives.
The Atlantic hosted a series of discussions on combating loneliness and social isolation. Speakers included former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, AARP Foundation President Lisa Marsh Ryerson and Pew Research Center Social Trends Research Director Kim Parker. They addressed the causes and health impacts of the problem and offered a range of solutions.
Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults Opportunities for the Health Care System
How health care providers can help reduce the adverse health impacts of social isolation and loneliness.
In 2010, AARP conducted a national survey of U.S. adults age 45 and older to better understand loneliness among midlife and older adults. Since the survey’s release, the field has evolved and AARP Foundation’s focus has expanded to include social isolation.
With older Americans at higher risk for social isolation, science may have a treatment.
A new study—the first to examine whether social isolation also affects health care spending among older adults—finds that a lack of social contacts among older adults is associated with an estimated $6.7 billion in additional Medicare spending annually.
