{"id":13921,"date":"2023-06-13T06:11:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-13T06:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/imph.org\/?p=13921"},"modified":"2023-06-13T15:48:59","modified_gmt":"2023-06-13T15:48:59","slug":"social-isolation-in-older-adults-taskforce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/imph.org\/social-isolation-in-older-adults-taskforce\/","title":{"rendered":"SC Institute of Medicine and Public Health and SC Department on Aging Release Recommendations to Combat Social Isolation in Older Adults"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Report identifies opportunities for South Carolina to promote social connection for older adults<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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READ FULL REPORT<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
READ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
ORDER HARD COPY REPORTS<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

COLUMBIA, S.C. (June 13, 2023) \u2014 <\/strong>The South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health<\/a> (IMPH), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to collectively inform policy to improve health and health care in South Carolina, in partnership with the South Carolina Department on Aging<\/a> (SCDOA), has released a new taskforce report: Addressing Social Isolation in Older Adults as a Determinant of Health<\/a> \u2014 which includes state-specific recommendations to reduce social isolation in older adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Launched in 2022, the Social Isolation in Older Adults Taskforce<\/a> was convened by IMPH and SCDOA to collaboratively identify approaches to address social isolation and its effects on older adults in South Carolina. The taskforce is made up of industry experts and is chaired by MaryGail Douglas, former President of the South Carolina Association of Council on Aging Directors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSocial connection is a major health determinant that is not typically discussed,\u201d says Maya Pack, executive director of IMPH. \u201cSocial isolation and loneliness have been a risk to public health far before COVID-19. There is substantial evidence that shows a strong correlation between social isolation and major physical and mental health challenges and their associated costs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, a report<\/a> by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine found that approximately 24% of American adults 65 years and older living in communities are considered to be socially isolated. Social isolation is associated with an increased risk of premature mortality and there is evidence that the magnitude of the effect may be comparable to or greater than other risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state-specific recommendations were presented to members of the University of South Carolina Patient Engagement Studio<\/a>, producing meaningful research from subject matter experts to help further refine the recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis report is the culmination of subject matter experts and their partners diligently working to improve the health of older adults in our state,\u201d says MaryGail Douglas, taskforce chair. \u201cThe findings and recommendations cited in this report will shine a light on the needs of those suffering from social isolation and help pave a way forward for a better, healthier South Carolina.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The taskforce\u2019s report recommendations include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n