On Thursday, October 26, 2023, iMPROve Health hosted a hybrid summit to address the growing problems of social isolation and loneliness. Aptly named “Social Isolation Summit: An Intergenerational Approach!,” the event provided education on how social isolation and loneliness impact overall health in older adults and across the lifespan. The summit offered creative solutions to increase social engagement through intergenerational programming.
Presentations included a keynote given by Dr. Jeremy Holloway, Ph.D., Director of Geriatrics Education, University of North Dakota, about “Staying Resilient and Connected Together.” Others covered how to use intergenerational programming to address social isolation and loneliness, including Michigan-specific programs and those tailored to meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. A closing presentation given by Dr. Shannon Jarrott, Ph.D., Professor, College of Social Work, The Ohio State University, helped attendees marry all the day’s information together while identifying how to create successful intergenerational programs through community partnerships.
In addition to the expert speakers and panelists, the summit offered in-person attendees the opportunity to meet with and learn from several exhibitor organizations, including CNS Healthcare, Generations United, Lori’s Hands, MiGen, the Senior Alliance (Area Agency on Aging 1C), and the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (2-1-1).
Proving the necessity of the summit, many attendees shared they were not previously aware of the programs and services the panelists discussed. Attendees also expressed interest in referring their clients and patients to these programs and their desire to replicate or offer them in their communities.
“The conference has provided a very piercing and powerful awareness of social isolation and its effects on health,” said one attendee. “While I already had some knowledge, I certainly was not aware of the extensive adverse effects across multiple populations.” Another attendee exclaimed that it was “so refreshing to walk away with more than information!”
Over 95 percent of attendees rated the overall quality of the conference as “Very Good/Excellent.” Additionally, 98 percent stated that the information shared during the summit was useful to their work. In total, 172 individuals attended the summit either in person at Schoolcraft College’s VisTaTech Center or virtually via Zoom.
In addition to being an amazing success, the summit was covered in an article published by the Spartan News Room about the state of social isolation and loneliness in the U.S. iMPROve Health Senior Quality Consultant, and lead in summit planning, Barb Link, LMSW, CRS-A/D, was quoted and several project partners were mentioned. This feature further highlights the necessity of the summit and programs that address social isolation and loneliness. You can read the article on the Spartan News Room website.
The summit was made possible through a Michigan Health Endowment Fund healthy aging grant.