Social Engagement

Social isolation and loneliness have increasingly been recognized as critical and growing public health issues, with the US Surgeon General declaring loneliness and isolation a national epidemic in 2023.¹ Older adults are at a higher risk of social isolation and loneliness resulting from factors such as retirement, experiencing health issues and/or mobility limitations, lack of transportation access and having family and friends move or pass away.
 
Socially isolated older adults face a 29 percent increased risk of early mortality, which is comparable to mortality rates associated with smoking, obesity and air pollution.² Beyond the negative mental and physical health effects, social isolation and loneliness also have economic consequences. Lack of social contacts among older adults is associated with an estimated $6.7 billion in additional Medicare spending annually, which is comparable to Medicare spending on chronic conditions.³
 
Just as social isolation and loneliness have been proven to have negative impacts on the health and well-being of older adults, social engagement has the opposite impact. Research shows that remaining socially engaged improves the quality of life for older adults, resulting in dramatic health benefits including increased survival,⁴ decreased risk of disability and functional mobility decline,⁵ decreased likelihood of depression⁶ and decreased risk of dementia.⁷
 
With more than 50 years of experience in supporting the well-being of older adults, Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) play an essential role in promoting social connection for older adults and caregivers. AAAs have a range of social engagement services and supports in place as part of core AAA services such as congregate meals and wellness activities, as well as through specific programs to prevent social isolation and loneliness. In fact, USAging’s 2022 National AAA Survey found that 98 percent of AAAs offer a program or activity that specifically addresses the critical need for social engagement, such as volunteer engagement, arts and creative activities, and technology training and engagement.
 
Older adults and caregivers can contact their local AAA to learn more about social engagement opportunities available in their community.
 
USAging Resources

• engAGED: The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults (administered by USAging)
• Commit to Connect (administered by USAging)
• Social Engagement Innovations Hub
• engAGED Community Awareness Toolkit
• engAGED Consumer Materials
• Commit to Connect Nationwide Network of Champions

• Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community
• National Institute on Aging Social Isolation and Loneliness Outreach Toolkit
• Health Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Foundation for Social Connection