Social isolation and loneliness can have serious effects on the health and well-being of older adults, yet these challenges often go unnoticed. Through iMPROve Health’s Social Isolation & Loneliness (SIL) Pharmacy Screening Program, community pharmacists became an important connection point for identifying older adults who may need support and helping them access local resources.
Supported by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, the program trained pharmacists across four Michigan counties to screen adults age 60 and older for social isolation and loneliness and connect them with community-based services when needed.
One participant’s experience highlighted the power of the initiative. An older adult who had been quietly withdrawing and losing weight screened positive for both social isolation and loneliness. After receiving a referral to a local senior center, she reconnected with others, improved her nutrition, and regained a sense of belonging. What began as a brief conversation at the pharmacy counter became a pathway to meaningful support.
The program’s impact extended across Michigan communities:
- 13 pharmacies recruited across four counties
- 242 screenings completed among older adults
- 1,173 outreach brochures distributed to expand awareness and engagement
- A 220% increase in screenings after outreach expanded to home-delivery patients
- All participating pharmacies that completed the program exceeded their screening targets
By empowering pharmacists, strengthening partnerships with senior service agencies, and creating new referral pathways, this initiative demonstrated how healthcare organizations can identify unmet social needs and improve well-being through collaboration, innovation, and human connection.At iMPROve Health, we believe helping healthcare get better starts with seeing the whole person and ensuring no one goes unseen.
This program was supported by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, which works to improve the health and wellness of Michigan residents and reduce the cost of healthcare, with a special focus on children and seniors.