Life in Isolation post COVID May 27 update

Health Impacts of Social Isolation:

• A 2020 National Academy of Sciences study links social isolation to a 50% increased risk of developing dementia.
• Social isolation is associated with a significantly increased risk of premature mortality comparable to smoking and obesity.
• Loneliness correlates with increased rates of smoking and alcohol consumption.
• Clinical data indicates loneliness is the strongest predictor of functional decline and early death, surpassing physical metrics like high blood pressure.
• Chronic diseases affecting 90% of the population (obesity, diabetes, hypertension) are significantly influenced by behavioral changes.

Demographic Vulnerabilities and Inequities:

• Adults aged 50 and older face higher isolation risks due to living alone, loss of family/friends, chronic illness, and sensory impairments.
• Low-income women aged 55 and older face unemployment rates six times higher than other groups, exacerbating isolation risks.
• Marginalized groups, including older LGBTQ+ adults and unpaid caregivers, face intersecting identity-based risks for loneliness.
• Nursing home residents and those with underlying health conditions remain at the greatest risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Intervention Strategies and Solutions:

• Microsteps: Arianna Huffington promotes tiny, incremental daily behavioral changes (e.g., charging phones outside the bedroom) to improve sleep and mental resilience.
• Volunteer Call Programs: The Motion Picture Television Fund operates "The Daily Call Sheet," where 150 volunteers conduct ongoing social conversations with 300 isolated individuals to build trust and identify unmet needs.
• Call Hub Platform: A&A Foundation and MPTF launched a free, scalable platform connecting organizations with trained volunteers to reach disconnected seniors; it includes a toll-free number and software for tracking.
• Intergenerational Connections: High school students are being paired with frail older adults to combat isolation on both sides, fostering community ties and mutual support.
• Telehealth Expansion: The pandemic forced a shift to telehealth, increasing e-health visits from 100/month to 100,000/day at one major health system, addressing prior trust barriers.
• Holistic Wellness: Thrive Global partners with employers like Walmart to integrate wellness programs for executives and frontline workers, aiming to impact hundreds of millions.

Structural and Systemic Recommendations:

• Healthcare systems must evolve to include social connection as a core component of "total well-being" rather than focusing solely on physical health.
• Closed-loop systems connecting healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and Area Agencies on Aging are necessary to address the burden of loneliness.
• Policy and funding must support the creation of livable, inclusive communities that value the wisdom and talents of older adults.
• Behavioral changes in diet, sleep, and stress management could prevent 75% of chronic diseases without mental health interventions.

Future Outlook and Cultural Shifts:

• Panelists agree that while "going back to normal" is a risk, the pandemic serves as a catalyst for fundamental cultural changes regarding aging, work, and community values.
• There is a strong call to end the cultural delusion that burnout is a necessary price for success.
• Participants emphasize that isolation and loneliness are distinct concepts: isolation is the lack of a network, while loneliness is the subjective feeling of insufficient connection.
• Arianna Huffington predicts a cultural shift toward revering age, citing Greek traditions where elders are venerated as sources of wisdom.
• Lisa Marsh-Ryerson notes that without intentional design, interventions will fail to reach the most vulnerable populations left behind by structural inequities.

Speaker Profiles and Roles:

• Nora Super: Senior Director, Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging; Moderator.
• Arianna Huffington: Founder, Huffington Post and CEO, Thrive Global; focuses on workplace well-being and behavioral health.
• Dr. Scott Kaiser: Director, Pacific Brain Health Center; Chief Innovation Officer, Motion Picture and Television Fund; geriatrician.
• Lisa Marsh-Ryerson: President, AARP Foundation; focuses on ending senior poverty and social connectedness.