In a recent survey of Aging Life Care Managers®, 86% responded seeing an increase in loneliness among clients post COVID – with 46% seeing this increase within the last two years. Professionals share ways they are combatting loneliness and isolation among their clients.
Aging Life Care Managers® Can Help Offset Loneliness and Subsequent Issues
While most of the world has returned to pre-pandemic social norms, loneliness and social isolation remain a top concern among aging adults. In a recent survey of Aging Life Care Managers®, 86% responded seeing an increase in loneliness among clients post COVID – with 46% seeing this increase within the last two years.
The Aging Life Care Association® (ALCA) – the professional association of Aging Life Care Managers – conducted the internal survey of its members to learn how professionals are helping clients combat loneliness.
“During the pandemic, we all turned to technology to stay connected – Facetime, Zoom, social media – and this was incredibly beneficial for many clients, but not all aging adults are so tech savvy,” says Kate Granigan, MSW, LICSW President of ALCA Board of Directors and practicing Aging Life Care Manager. “While virtual visits with family or friends are still a great tool, we find that in person connections are most effective.”
According to the survey, in-person visits with family and friends are the best medicine for loneliness. But for situations where that can’t happen frequently, Aging Life Care Managers find utilizing caregivers for social engagement to be effective.
Other ways to help aging adults combat loneliness include:
- Social engagement programs
- Mental health professional
- Virtual visits and technology (Facetime, Zoom)
- Faith-based organizations
Aging Life Care Managers are incorporating more social engagement and therapeutic activity programs into clients’ care plans when possible. These types of programs are on the rise and becoming more available across the country, says Granigan.
ALCA Board Member Nina Pflumm Herndon helped create such a program when her team of Aging Life Care Professionals saw that many older adults – despite getting great quality care – were seeing quality of life suffering due to loneliness and isolation.
“Loneliness can be a factor even when a professional care provider or family caregiver is engaged; it can be challenging to attend to quality-of-life issues when care needs to be addressed first,” says Herndon. “To help combat loneliness, our team of therapeutic activity specialists help reconnect clients with a sense of purpose and meaning based on their unique interests and abilities, so they are experiencing more joyful moments. The sessions can be a salve for the pain of loneliness by building a connection to others and lifting their spirits.”
For more on how an Aging Life Care Manager can help older adults and/or family caregivers alleviate the burdens of social isolation and loneliness visit aginglifecare.org.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute, nor is it intended to be a substitute for, professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Information on this blog does not necessarily reflect official positions of the Aging Life Care Association® and is provided “as is” without warranty. Always consult with a qualified professional with any particular questions you may have regarding your or a family member’s needs.