Polls show loneliness has risen by almost 50% in older adults during the pandemic

Engagement is Essential to Fight Loneliness!

Senior living has drastically changed in recent months. Whether in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or senior activities, engagement for seniors has been cut, limited, and, in some cases, nearly obsolete.

Nursing homes have been particularly hard-hit.

According to an article in the New York Times, “At least 28,100 residents and workers have died from the coronavirus at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities for older adults in the United States... The virus so far has infected more than 153,000 at some 7,700 facilities.”

The situation isn’t much different for seniors living in the community. Many who once participated in YMCA activities, local book clubs, church groups, and other events have found their lives drastically altered. While many classes, religious services, and groups moved online, there was often limited support specifically for seniors to effectively participate.

For many older adults, whether at home or in care institutions, they no longer face only the dangers of the coronavirus but also the risk of a more insidious threat—loneliness.

Loneliness: A Growing Concern for Older Adults

Before the pandemic, 47% of Americans lacked meaningful social interactions. The global health service company Cigna (NYSE: CI) partnered with Ipsos research firm to release results from a national survey that explored the impact of loneliness in the U.S. before the coronavirus hit.

According to the research, “Only around half of Americans (53 percent) have meaningful in-person social interactions, such as having an extended conversation with a friend or spending quality time with family, on a daily basis.”

Now, with social distancing measures in place, social interactions have decreased even further for those who were already isolated.

Douglas Nemecek, M.D., chief medical officer for Behavioral Health at Cigna, said, “These results clearly point to the benefits meaningful in-person connections can have on loneliness... While one solution won’t stop this growing public health issue, we’ve started to make changes to our business to help our clients and others tackle loneliness and realize their vitality.”

A study by the University of Michigan found that during the pandemic, older adults are feeling lonelier than before.

Loneliness isn’t just a feeling—it has significant health implications, particularly for older adults. Louise C. Hawkley’s research on loneliness found that it “can wreak havoc on an individual’s physical, mental, and cognitive health.”

Hawkley’s research links perceived social isolation with various health problems, including depression, poor sleep quality, impaired executive function, accelerated cognitive decline, poor cardiovascular function, and weakened immunity.

In addition, a 2019 study analyzed data from more than 580,000 adults and found that social isolation increases the risk of premature death from every cause for every race.

How GetSetUp is Helping to Combat Loneliness

GetSetUp offers learning and socialization opportunities specifically geared towards those 50 and over. Guides, who are reskilled educators over 50, teach their peers skills around using technology, apps, and other topics for engaging conversation, learning, and socialization. Classes are conducted online via live interactive sessions, replacing some group activities for those with limited social mobility and isolation measures in place.

Learning also increases cognitive function, which helps reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation cites numerous tools to help keep dementia at bay, such as learning, staying connected, and exercising. GetSetUp helps seniors access these resources from their homes.

Customizing Engagement for Your Community

Senior living centers, area agencies on aging, and community centers can customize bundles of classes available exclusively to their members to ensure they remain engaged, connected, and free from the silent disease of loneliness.

How Community Centers Are Using GetSetUp to Combat Loneliness

1. Offer GetSetUp’s Learning Community: Organizations like MoveOn list GetSetUp as a resource specifically for seniors searching for help during COVID-19.
2. Customized Classes: Host one-time events or ongoing classes to keep your community engaged. For example, Purple Patch created a seminar with GetSetUp on resilience and human performance for those 50+.
3. Pre-packaged Class Bundles: Offer convenient access to classes that address the needs of your community. AARP Connections provided a specific bundle to help 2,000+ individuals with activities like Telemedicine, Grocery Delivery, and Installing Zoom.
4. Economic Opportunities: Members can gain economic benefits by becoming Guides and teaching on the platform.

How Does It Work?

1. Your community accesses classes.
2. They learn with their peers.
3. Friendships are created.
4. Community is built.
5. New skills are learned, empowering individuals.
6. They have fun!

All of the above helps reduce loneliness, fosters cognitive development, and mitigates the negative effects of social isolation.

Find out more about how GetSetUp can ensure that your community is engaged, connected, and not fighting a pandemic on two fronts—both coronavirus and loneliness.

GetSetUp can help create a community of support to combat loneliness and ensure peace of mind for your community!