Ideas & Solutions
Below is a list of existing solutions and promising ideas to combat older adult social isolation and loneliness. This is a live document: we welcome all feedback and ideas to better strengthen our community together. In examining solutions, we seek to learn what works in other communities and intelligently support new initiatives.
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Caregiving
- Family Caregiving
Caregiver education materials, an online support group and best practices for professionals - Grandparents Caring for Grandchildren
Fact sheet covering resources and data for PA by Grandfamilies.org
Dementia Support
- Dementia Friends
Dementia sensitivity training program - Dementia Friendly America
Resources and ideas for all community sectors: neighborhoods, banks, local government, health care providers, libraries, faith community - Memory Cafe
Dementia-friendly cafe for caregivers and/or care receivers to enjoy activities together - Simple Music Player
An easy-to-use digital music player programmed with musical favorites
Education
- Coursera
Coursera offers free online courses on a wide variety of subjects - Dorot University
Dorot University Without Walls provides online and phone classes
Health & Fitness
- Chronic Pain & Loneliness
The Las Vegas Recovery Center offers tips for reducing loneliness in people with chronic pain - Health Connections Mendip
Directory of resources for health and wellbeing issues in UK. - Keeping Your Family Member Moving
Family Caregiver Alliance webinar: “Keeping Your Family Member Moving and Engaged So They Can Remain at Home” - “Your Body Is Meant to Move” Video
Beginner level home exercise video mentioned in above webinar
Housing
HOME SHARING
- Intergenerational Home Sharing
Encore.org article on the benefits of living with roommates of a different age - Sharing Housing
Benefits of sharing a home with others - Silver Nest
Online housing service to find a compatible housemate
HOME HEALTH PROGRAMS
- Harvest Homecare
Applies the Eden Alternative’s approach to home care - Eden Alternative Seven Domains of Wellbeing
Nonprofit dedicated to creating quality of life for older adults and care partners, wherever they live
HOME SAFETY
- Home Safety Checks
Cheshire UK Fire Company provides home safety checks
Long Distance Caregiving
- Daily Safety Calls
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay trains volunteers to make free daily safety and reassurance calls to homebound older adults and folks with disabilities. - No Isolation
Norwegian company with innovative communication device for families - TEDx Talk on Isolation
By Karen Dolva, founder of No Isolation - Viewclix
Simple device that allows family members to share photos, post sticky notes, and make video calls - Virtual Senior Centers
New York-based company offering seniors a place to connect, learn, and play online, using a computer to make real friends
Pets
- How to Help Older Family Members Keep Their Pets
How to help seniors care for pets - Pets for the Elderly
Subsidizes adaption fees for people 60+ acquiring a dog from a participating shelter - Pet Partners
Provides training, insurance and other resources for volunteers enrolled in their Therapy Animal Program Pet Supply Grants – Meals on Wheels America
Program granting funds for pet food and supplies to home delivered meal providers
Recreation
- Healthline: Being Creative Can Make Your Golden Years More Enjoyable
Article about how music, painting, and writing can help people live longer and stay mentally sharp - Pennsylvania Agency on Aging: How The Arts Foster Healthy Aging
Document from PA State on Creative Aging
Transportation
- NewMo: Ride Share for Older Adults
Newton Massachusetts’ “Newton in Motion” or “NewMo” is an on demand rideshare program similar to Uber for riders 60+ - Study on Ride Share Services for Older Adults
Study on ride share services available to older adults. By 2030, more than 20 percent of Americans will be age 65 and older
Volunteering
PROGRAMS
- Virtual & Homebound Volunteering
List of virtual volunteer opportunities and tips for volunteering from home - Volunteer Match
Network linking volunteers to nonprofits, including many in Union County
RESEARCH
- Older Adults as a Civic Resource
“The elderly may be our only growing natural resource — provided we create new ways to mobilize their civic energies.” - Volunteering as a Solution to Loneliness
“Volunteering is one way to stay engaged and stimulated, rather than isolated and lonely, and thereby protect against cognitive decline.”
Socializing
Patrons ditch their devices and connect face-to-face with someone new in a public place like a cafe.
Actions and resources for reducing loneliness and isolation