Connections are key to warding off isolation – and its harmful
health effects.
By Robert Mirsky,
M.D. Contributor Nov. 22, 2019, at 6:00 a.m.
WE'VE OFTEN HEARD
THAT your ZIP code is a
better predictor of health than your genetic code. And while most solutions
focus on addressing social determinants of health like
access to healthy food and transportation, we must acutely address another key
barrier to good health: social isolation.
Studies show that loneliness and social
isolation can significantly impact our health and overall
well-being. In fact, research has
shown that loneliness can be as harmful to our health as
smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
For older adults, the issue of loneliness and
isolation is particularly troubling. A
University of Michigan survey found
34% of Americans aged 50 to 80 feel they lack companionship, and 27% feel
isolated.
Driving these numbers is the fact that, as we
age, our lifestyles can change. Chronic health conditions can become a barrier
to maintaining a social and active lifestyle. We can experience vision, hearing
and mobility challenges, making it hard for us to enjoy and participate in our
favorite activities. Also, family and friends may move away, or we may move to
a new community and not know how to establish new connections. As a trained
family physician, I've seen firsthand how these factors can lead to social
isolation.
I've also seen this personally with my dad. He
loved to play tennis, but playing the game became difficult as he aged. For
him, playing tennis was more than just a physical activity – it was an
important social activity he shared with his closest friends. Fortunately, he
eventually figured out that even if he couldn't play a full game anymore, he
could still stop by the courts to watch, exercise and socialize with his
friends.
Driving Better Health Through Social
Connection
At Aetna, a CVS Health company, we know the
impact social isolation can have on our members' overall health, and we're
addressing this issue in several ways.
Our first step is identifying Aetna Medicare
Advantage members who are or may become socially isolated. We developed a Social
Isolation Index that uses claims data and multidimensional
information on social determinants of health to identify members who are at
high risk of becoming socially isolated. Specially trained consultants from our
Resources For Living program will contact these members and work with them to
understand their needs and identify local resources they might benefit from,
such as access to clubs, support groups, transportation assistance or
meal-delivery services. The program serves as an early point of intervention
for the many nonmedical issues that impact members' health. Oftentimes, people
don't know how to address their social isolation, so having trained support to
guide them is critical.
Aetna's efforts to address social isolation
and loneliness for Medicare beneficiaries are part of Destination:
Health, a series of CVS Health business
programs focused on helping people improve their health outside
of a clinical setting. Other program aspects include collaborating with Unite Us to
help some of Aetna's most vulnerable Medicaid and dual-eligible (those who qualify
for both Medicare and Medicaid) members more easily access social services
within their community; using analytics to help employers identify and address
social determinants of health; and investing in affordable housing across the
country to help provide support for underserved and at-risk populations.
Harnessing the Power of Community
Collaborations
Our Path to
Better Health Study revealed that 24% of seniors have no
friends or family nearby to support them, and 27% don't know where to go to
meet new people. To harness the power of community, we're
collaborating with Papa, Inc., a program that connects local
college students with seniors to help build companionship, as well as assist
with household chores and technology.
These types of mutually beneficial
relationships are invaluable, as the older person receives companionship and
physical help, while the younger person can learn from the experiences and
wisdom of someone much older. For the time being, this program will only be
available for select plans in Florida, but we're
looking forward to seeing its initial impact.
Staying Connected Through Exercise
Finally, we're continuing to encourage
everyone to treat exercise as another means of tackling social isolation while
staying healthy.
Take the case of Betty,
one of our members who originally contacted her care manager regarding a health
challenge related to her diabetes. When her care manager realized
Betty could benefit from more socialization, she encouraged her to get involved
with SilverSneakers, a
fitness program offering gym memberships and group classes. Betty began to
attend more classes, and now regularly sees her friends from SilverSneakers
outside the gym, often enjoying a meal together at a restaurant in town. Not
only did SilverSneakers help transform Betty from a self-proclaimed homebody
into a social butterfly, her overall health also improved.
Tackling social isolation will take a
multipronged, interdisciplinary approach. But, through increased awareness,
innovative collaborations and local support, we can help older adults live the
way they want to, both at home and in their community.
Editor's note: U.S. News produces the Healthiest Communities editorial
platform in collaboration with the
Aetna Foundation, an independent charitable and philanthropic
affiliate of CVS Health.
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