Thursday, April 1, 2021

The National resource Center for Engaging Older Adults - eNewsletter

News from engAGED

Food and Friends: Innovative Nutrition Practices to Combat Social Isolation

Food is not only essential to a person’s physical health, but it can also be a key way that people can connect to one another. Research shows that without these critical connections, people may experience reduced appetite, lower food intake and increased risk of under-nutrition. These negative consequences were amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic when, in addition to experiencing increased social isolation due to physical distancing, many older adults who were unable to get to congregate meal sites and grocery stores were also unable to get nutritious food.
 
In recognition of March as National Nutrition Month, our March blog post and webinar highlight the intersection of nutrition and social engagement. The post features an interview with the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP), a member of the engAGED Project Advisory Committee. The interview explores how nutrition programs have always helped promote social engagement of older adults, how this has been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic—and what the future of nutrition programs and social engagement may look like. To learn more about how nutrition programs responded to the pandemic, lessons learned and social engagement innovations that may continue in a post-pandemic environment, read the full blog post.
 
In addition to the blog post, engAGED staff brought together speakers from NANASP, Meals on Wheels America and the Northern Arizona Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging for a webinar to discuss ways nutrition programs have innovated to address social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interested in learning about innovation nutrition program adaptations and the future of social engagement through nutrition programs? Listen to or watch the recording.

The Administration for Community Living has developed a new Senior Nutrition Program Community Toolkit and other resources to help Aging Network organizations support and enhance the socialization of nutrition program participants in recognition of the March anniversary of the Older Americans Act nutrition program.

New Report: Socially Connected Communities, Solutions for Social Isolation

A new report, produced by participants in the Social Isolation Learning Network, led by Healthy Places by Design in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, focuses on strategies to create healthy, socially connected communities. Seeking to address the overlapping health, economic and racial justice crises further illuminated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the report, Socially Connected Communities, includes key recommendations that communities can use to create resilient, equitable and healthy environments that foster social well-being, which impacts overall health. The Social Isolation Learning Network explored key challenges, trends and themes to develop cross-sector, cross-community and cross-country lessons meant to inspire collective action to mitigate social isolation. Read their recommendations and learn more about how communities can address this complex issue through a systemic lens.


More Deaths from Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias in 2020

According to a report released by the Alzheimer’s Association, preliminary reports from the CDC indicate that there were at least 42,000 more deaths from Alzheimer’s and other dementias in 2020 compared with the average of the five years prior, which is approximately 16 percent more than expected. The biggest spike in deaths among people with dementia occurred early in the COVID-19 pandemic, but the pandemic may have more ravaging effects to come for people with cognitive impairment. The pandemic uprooted routines and effectively eliminated most social interactions that are vital to health and well-being. An increase in social isolation, especially for individuals living in care facilities, has been shown to lead to further impairment. To read more about recent research surrounding the isolating effects of the pandemic, read the full article here.

Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Older Adults Special Symposium on May 6

According to the CDC, before COVID-19, an estimated 20 percent of older adults experienced some type of mental health concern. The social isolation and loneliness that so many older adults have felt during the COVID-19 crisis has dramatically increased those numbers. To increase awareness of the mental health concerns of older adults, the National Council on Aging, Administration for Community Living and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration are hosting the 4th Annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium on May 6. Join the free, all-day virtual event which will feature engaging, informative sessions and discussion topics addressing the most pressing needs in older adult mental health. Professionals in the Aging Network, public health practitioners, mental health providers, health care professionals and anyone interested in ensuring the mental health of older adults are encouraged to attend. Register for this free event here.

engAGED March Twitter Chat Focused on Social Engagement Adaptations 

Interested in hearing from other Aging Network organizations on social engagement lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and what the future of social engagement programming may look like? Make sure you view the engAGED Twitter Chat, which took place March 9. As we met the one-year mark of many social engagement programs shifting to virtual outlets due to the COVID-19 pandemic, engAGED held this Twitter Chat to provide a space for organizations, including engAGED Project Advisory Committee members the Administration for Community Living, Diverse Elders Coalition, National Alliance for Caregiving and SHIP National Technical Assistance Center, to share how social engagement programs have been adapted as a result of the pandemic and successful ways to reach older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers in their homes.

Support to Expand Broadband Access Available

The FCC is seeking outreach partners to help drive awareness of the new Emergency Broadband Benefit—a FCC program being developed to provide relief to households that are struggling to pay for internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many members of the Aging Network have transitioned their social engagement programs to virtual formats in response to the pandemic, this shift has proven to be a barrier for older adults with limited-to-no internet access. As part of the effort to inform consumers about the upcoming Emergency Broadband Benefit, the FCC has established a new website where stakeholders can sign up to help promote the program.

Resource

A new blog post from the Administration for Community Living details updated nursing home visitation guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that will make it easier for residents to stay connected. Read the full post to learn more about the updated guidance and how the guidance will impact the critical work of Ombudsmen, protection and advocacy systems and others working to support the rights of older adults and people with disabilities.

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