Panel, Conference Presentation
Social Isolation: Confronting the Silent Pandemic
- Discussions following the July 1st Social Isolation Impact Summit and the "Together or Apart" report aim to outline key takeaways and calls to action, addressing the California statewide master plan on aging and highlighting contributions from the Milken Institute, AARP Foundation, SCAN Foundation, Gary and Mary West Foundation, and the EISNER Foundation.
- Jeff Huber predicts 13,000 to 15,000 additional deaths from Alzheimer's and other dementias this year attributable to the pandemic's impact on social isolation and loneliness.
- California is executing strategies to double down on safe connections via the 24/7 Friendship Line, bridge the digital divide through devices, broadband, and training for senior centers and adult day health programs, and rethink senior housing to include multi-generational options and smaller communities.
- State efforts in California are directed at removing ageism and racism barriers to community connection and revising policy, contracting, and funding frameworks to facilitate partnerships between health plans and social organizations.
- Jeff Huber intends to eradicate social isolation and loneliness through core business investments in high-touch care technology, financial support for non-profits, the launch of the "Ready to Care" social movement, and the creation of a paid "Champions of Aging" year of service program.
- The "Ready to Care" movement plans to recruit participants via readytocare.com for weekly inspirational texts, facilitate pen pal relationships, and aims to solve the isolation problem immediately if full participation is achieved.
- Jeff Huber anticipates a massive surge in the "oldest of the old" over the next 30 years, necessitating a workforce capable of supporting five generations working together in the workplace.
- Dora Hughes projects an acceleration of multi-sector partnerships across public health, healthcare, and social services to address social determinants of health, with expectations that the California Accountable Communities for Health Initiatives (CACHI) model will be emulated in other states.
- Dora Hughes advocates for continued prioritization of social isolation as a health determinant and greater funding for senior services post-pandemic, expecting to leverage the pandemic to emphasize root cause solutions over individual efforts.
- Linda Goler-Blount expresses concern regarding the emotional impacts on Black communities, family structures, and elder care capacity over the coming months, fearing internalized negativity among Black women due to disrupted social networks.
- The Black Women's Health Imperative plans to address loneliness barriers, ensure providers identify loneliness across all socioeconomic levels during telemedicine visits, and expects the reproductive justice community to continue highlighting intersectional oppression.
- Programs such as "My Sister's Keeper" aim to engage high school and college-age young women in cross-generational conversations with grandparents, while the broader "Together or Apart" initiative seeks to inspire young people to view aging as a career destination.
- Scott Kaiser notes rising loneliness among younger generations, citing a 2018 study identifying Gen Z as the most affected, while referencing National Academies reports linking social isolation to increased dementia risk and premature mortality.
- Concerns are raised regarding the disruption of family structures and the ability to care for elders in facilities, alongside the expectation that the pandemic forcing multi-generational households to live together will create new opportunities for connection.
- The "Together or Apart" report emphasizes the healing power of human connection and the role of the Milken Institute in forming alliances to improve dementia care, with panel discussions planned to cover expert insights on these themes.