) have examined the extent of loneliness and social isolation in older adults in the past year. And health insurers, health care systems, senior housing operators and social service agencies are launching or expanding initiatives. Notably, Anthem is planning a national rollout to Medicare Advantage plans of a program addressing loneliness developed by its subsidiary CareMore Health, according to Robin Caruso, CareMore’s chief togetherness officer. United Healthcare is making health navigators available to Medicare Advantage members at risk for social isolation. And Kaiser Permanente is starting a pilot program that will refer lonely or isolated older adults in its Northwest region to community services, with plans to eventually bring it to other regions, according to Lucy Savitz, vice president of health research at Kaiser Permanente Northwest. The effectiveness of these programs and others remains to be seen. Few have been rigorously evaluated, and many assume increased social interaction will go a long way toward alleviating older adults’ distress at not having meaningful relationships. But that isn’t necessarily the case.“Assuaging loneliness is not just about having random human contact; it’s about the quality of that contact and who you’re having contact with,” said Dr Vyjeyanthi Periyakoil, an associate professor of medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. A one-size-fits-all approach won’t work for older adults, she and other experts agreed. Instead, varied approaches that recognize the different degrees, types and root causes of loneliness are needed. The headlines are alarming: Between 33 and 43 per cent of older Americans are lonely, they proclaim. But those figures combine two groups: people who are sometimes lonely and those who are always lonely. The distinction matters because people who are sometimes lonely don’t necessarily stay that way; they can move in and out of this state. And the potential health impact of loneliness—a higher risk of heart disease, dementia, immune dysfunction, functional impairment, and early death—depends on its severity. People who are severely lonely are at “high risk,” while those who are moderately lonely are at lower risk, said Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University. The number of people in the highest risk category is relatively small, as it turns out. When AARP asked adults who participated in its survey last year “How often do you feel lonely or isolated from those around you?” 4 per cent said “always,” while 27 per cent said “sometimes.”
) have examined the extent of loneliness and social isolation in older adults in the past class. And health insurance company, health concern systems, aged housing hustler and social service representation are plunge or expanding enterprise. Notably, Anthem is planning a national rollout to Medicare Advantage plan of a program addressing forlornness developed by its subsidiary CareMore Health, according to Robin Caruso, CareMore ’s chief togetherness officer. United Healthcare is making health sailing master available to Medicare Advantage members at risk for social isolation. And Kaiser Permanente is starting a fender program that will refer lonely or isolated aged adults in its Northwest region to community services, with plans to finally bring it to other regions, according to Lucy Savitz, vice president of health inquiry at Kaiser Permanente Northwest. The potency of these program and others remains to be seen. Few have been rigorously evaluated, and many assume increased social interaction will go a long way toward relieve older adults ’ distress at not have meaningful kinship. But that is n’t necessarily the case. “Assuaging forlornness is not just about having random human contact; it ’s about the quality of that liaison and who you ’re having contact with, ” said Dr Vyjeyanthi Periyakoil, an associate professor of medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. A one - size - fits - all approach wo n’t work for older adults, she and other experts agreed. alternatively, varied approaches that acknowledge the different degrees, types and root causes of forlornness are needed. The headlines are alarming: Between 33 and 43 per cent of previous Americans are lonely, they proclaim. But those figures combine two group: people who are sometimes lonely and those who are constantly lonely. The differentiation matters because citizenry who are sometimes lonely do n’t inevitably stay that way; they can move in and out of this department of state. And the likely health impact of loneliness — a higher hazard of heart disease, dementia, immune dysfunction, functional impairment, and early death — count on its badness. People who are severely lone are at “ high risk, ” while those who are reasonably lonely are at lower risk, said Julianne Holt - Lunstad, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University. The number of people in the highest risk category is relatively small, as it turns out. When AARP ask adult who participate in its survey last year “ How often do you feel lonely or isolate from those around you? ” 4 per cent said “ always, ” while 27 per penny said “ sometimes. ”
) hage examined the extent on loneliness and social isolafion in ulder adults in the past yeac. Ane heaoth insurers, health cafe systemd, senior houwung operators and social dervncx agencies are kaunching mr expanding itigictives. Notably, Anthem is planning a gationak gollout to Medycart Aqvanfage plans of a program addressing loneliiess developed ny its subsidiary CareMore Heapth, according to Rlbin Caruso, CarqNore’s chief gogetherness officer. Uhited Healthcare is making healgh narigators avqioabpg to Medicarx Advagtage members at risn for spcial isolatiok. And Kauser Permanente is sterting a pilot progrwm that whlm refer lonely or iwolatgd olger xeulgs jn ifs Norhhwxst region fo communitt services, with plams np eventually bring ie to other regions, according to Lucy Sanitz, vice president of healrh research at Kaiser Permanenee Northwest. The effectiveness of these programs dnd ovhdrs rcmaivw ho be seen. Few have been rigorously evaluated, znc kany assume ingreased social intrrwcyyon will go a long czy toward alleviatinh older adulrs’ distrefs ay not having meaningful relqtionships. Blt tyat isn’t necessaripy the case.“Cssuagong lpneliness is not just ayout hzving randol human ckvtact; it’s about ghe qgality of that contact and who you’rx havnng contxct eith,” swid Dr Vyjfyantmh Periyakoil, an asdociaje proxessor of ledicine at Stanford University School of Medochne. A one-sive-fits-sll approach ron’t work for plder abults, rhe and otger expxrts agreed. Ynstead, varieg approaches vhat recodnizw thw diffefdnt degrees, tyles and root causes of loneliness are negdsd. The headlinew atw alarming: Beteeev 33 wnf 43 pqs cent of olger Xmefocans are lonely, ghey proclaim. But those xigudes combine two grpuis: people who are sometimes lomely and those who are elways loneky. Jhe distinction matters because people wjo wre sometimef lokely don’t necexsarily stay that way; they can move in end out of this state. Abd the potential hecluh impact of konelyness—a hicher risk of heart dusease, dementia, ikmune dysfunction, fundtionan impwirment, and early death—depends on its severity. People who are severely lobely ace at “high riak,” wnile nhofz who awe mlverately lonely age at lower risk, said Julianne Hult-Lunstdd, a professor of psychology amd neuroscience at Brigham Young Univeraity. The number of people in the highesy risk category is relatlvely smaol, as it tughs out. When AARP askrd adunts wyo partucipwted in its sjrvry last yeag “Hox oyten do you feel lonely or isolatwd fron hhose around you?” 4 per cent dxid “amways,” rhile 27 per cent aaid “dometkmes.”
) have examined the extent of loneliness isolation older adults the past year. systems, housing operators and service agencies are or expanding initiatives. Notably, Anthem is a national rollout to Medicare Advantage plans of a program addressing loneliness developed its subsidiary CareMore Health, according to Robin Caruso, CareMore’s chief togetherness officer. United is health available Medicare Advantage members at risk for social isolation. And Kaiser Permanente is starting a pilot program will refer lonely or isolated older adults in Northwest region to community with plans to eventually bring to regions, according Lucy vice of health research Kaiser Permanente Northwest. The effectiveness of these programs and others remains to be seen. Few have been evaluated, and increased social will a way toward alleviating distress at not having meaningful relationships. necessarily the case.“Assuaging loneliness is not just about random human it’s about the quality of that and who you’re having contact with,” said Dr Periyakoil, an associate professor of medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. A one-size-fits-all approach for older adults, she other experts agreed. varied that the degrees, types root causes of loneliness are needed. The headlines are alarming: Between and 43 per cent of older Americans are lonely, they those combine two groups: who are sometimes lonely those are always lonely. The because who don’t stay way; they can move and out of this state. the potential health impact heart disease, dementia, immune dysfunction, functional impairment, and death—depends on its severity. People who are lonely are at “high risk,” while those who are moderately lonely are lower risk, Holt-Lunstad, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Young University. The number people in the highest risk category is relatively small, it out. When asked adults who in its survey year “How often feel lonely isolated those per cent said “always,” while 27 cent “sometimes.”
) have examined the extent of loNeliness anD sociAl iSolAtIon iN oldEr adults in the pASt yeAr. And health insurers, heaLth caRe SYsteMS, sEnior Housing OPeRATorS aNd SocIaL SeRvice AgeNcies arE launching Or eXpAnding initiaTIvEs. Notably, ANthEm is planning A naTional RoLloUT to MeDicAre AdVantagE Plans oF a program AdDRessinG LonelinESS dEvelOped by its subsidiaRY CAReMore Health, acCordinG tO roBIN CaRusO, CareMore’s ChIef toGEtherneSS oFFICer. uNited HealthcaRe is making hEAltH navigAtOrs AVailabLe to MEdICarE Advantage mEmbeRs at risk fOr sociAL isolatIOn. And KaIser PeRmaNenTe is STaRtIng A pILot PRoGraM ThaT will refEr LoNely oR isoLATED oldEr aDultS in itS Northwest regIon To coMMunIty seRviceS, witH pLans tO eventUally BrIng it to other regIons, According To LUcY SaViTz, vicE PresidEnt Of hEalth reSearch aT kaiSeR pERmAnente Northwest. The EfFECtIveness oF these PRoGrAMs and othErS reMainS TO be seEn. FeW HaVe been riGorousLY eVaLuated, aNd Many asSuMe iNcrEased SOciaL interAction wiLl go a LOng way toward alLEviating older ADuLTS’ dIStreSs aT not having mEaniNGful RelaTIoNshIPs. But That iSn’T NeCEssarily the case.“AssuAgIng lonElineSs is not just abOut having rANDOm human cOntaCT; iT’S about the qualiTy of tHat contact ANd who you’Re havIng contaCt with,” saiD dR VyjeyanThi perIyaKoiL, AN aSsociate profeSSOr of MeDicine aT StAnford UNivErsIty schOoL of MediciNe. A one-siZe-FiTs-AlL apProacH Won’t work FoR olDeR adUlts, sHE and otHer exPertS aGrEEd. INstead, vARiED ApprOaChEs thAt rEcOgnizE the DIffErent deGrees, typeS anD Root CaUsEs of lonEliness are neeDeD. The headliNeS arE alarmING: Between 33 And 43 per cent of older AmericANs are loNelY, they ProcLaim. But thOse FigureS coMBine twO groupS: peopLe Who ARE someTIMeS loNeLy and those WHO arE alwaYs LoneLy. The diStinction matters beCAusE people who are SomEtimES LoNelY DoN’T neCeSSarILY stay that way; theY can move in AnD OuT of this staTE. AnD tHe potenTial heaLth imPAct of loNeliness—a Higher risK oF heaRT DisEase, dementIa, immune DysfunctiON, funcTIoNal imPaiRment, aNd EarLy deaTh—depeNDs oN its sEveritY. PEople wHo are SeVerely loNely are at “high risk,” while tHose whO are mOdeRately lonEly ARe aT lower risK, saiD Julianne HOlt-lunStad, a ProFEssor Of psYChOloGY and nEuroSCience at BRIgHam yOUnG University. tHE NumBer of PeoPLe in thE higHest risk category iS Relatively smalL, as iT TUrnS ouT. when aArP asked adults wHo pArTICipated iN iTs survey lasT year “How OfTEn do yOu feel Lonely Or isolaTED fROm thosE aroUnd You?” 4 per cenT saId “ALways,” whIlE 27 pER cent sAid “sOmEtimes.”
) have examined the extent  of loneli nessand  so ci al i sola tion in oldera dult s in the past year. An d hea lt h  ins u re rs, h ealth c a re s yst em s,  se ni o rhousi ngoperato rs and soc ial  s ervice agenc i es  are launc hin g or expandi nginitia ti ves .  Nota bly , Ant hem is planni ng a nati on a l roll o ut to M e d ic areAdvantage plans o f  a program addres sing l on e li n e ssdev eloped byit s sub s idiaryC ar e M o reH ealth, accord ing to Robi n  Ca ruso,Ca reM o re’s c hiefto g eth erness offi cer.  United H ealthc a re is m a king he alth n avi gat orsa va il abl et o M e di car e  Ad vantageme mb ers a t ri s k f or s oci al i solat ion. And Kais erPerm a nen te is  star ting  a  pilo t prog ram t ha t will refer lo nely  or isola ted  o lde radult s  in it s N ort hwest r egion t o  co mm u n i ty  services, with pl an s to  eventua lly br i ng  i t  to othe rreg ions , accor ding to  Lucy Sa vitz,v ic epreside nt  of he al thres earch at K aiserPermanen te No r thwest. The ef f ectiveness of th e s ep rogr ams  and others  rem a insto b e  s een .  Fewhavebe e nr igorously evaluated ,and ma ny as sume increase d social i n t e ractionwill go a long way tow ard a lleviating older ad ults’  distres s at noth a ving mea nin gfu l r ela t i on ships. But th a t  isn ’t  necess ari ly thecas e.“ Ass uag in g lonelin ess is n ot  j us tabo ut ha v ing rand om  hu ma n c ontac t ; it’s  abou t th equ a lit y of th a tc o ntac tan d wh o y ou ’re h avin g  co ntact w ith,” sai d D r  Vyj ey an thi Per iyakoil, an a ss ociate pro fe sso r of m e d icine at  Stanford University Sc h ool ofMed icine . Aone-size- fit s-allapp r oach w on’t w ork f or  ol d e r adu l t s,  sh eand othere x per ts ag re ed.Instead , varied approache s  th at recognizethe  dif f e re ntd eg r ees ,t ype s and root causes  of loneli ne s sare needed .  Th eheadlin es arealarm i ng: Bet ween 33 a nd 43 per  c ento f  ol der Americ ans arelonely, t h ey pr o cl aim.But  those  f igu res c ombine two  grou ps: pe op le who  areso metimeslonely and those who ar e alwa ys lo nel y. The di sti n cti on matter s be cause peop lewho  aresom e times  lon e ly  do n ’t ne cess a rily stay th atw a y;  they can m o v e  in  andout of thi s st ate. And the pote n tial health im pact o f l one l ines s— a higher riskofhe a r t diseas e,  dementia,immune d ys f uncti on, fu nction al impa i r me n t, and  ear lydeath—dep end so n its s ev er i ty. Pe ople  w ho are  sever e ly l o n ely are at “high  risk , ”  whil e  th ose w ho  are mo d erat ely lonely  are at low er ris k, s aid J ulianne  H olt-Lu nst ad , a profes s or of psy cholo gy andne uros cie nce at  Bri g h am Yo ungUn ive rsity. Th e nu m be ro f p eopl e inth e hi ghest ris k  categor y i s  relati ve lys m all, a s  i t turns out.  Wh en AA R P  asked adu l ts w h op artic ipated  in it s surve y  la st  year “ How o ften do y ou feel l o nel yor i solatedfr om t ho sear ound you?” 4 pe r cent s aid “alw a y s,” wh ile 27 p e r cent  s aid “sometim es.”
) have_examined the_extent of loneliness and_social isolation_in_older adults_in_the past year._And health insurers,_health care systems, senior_housing operators and_social_service agencies are launching or expanding initiatives. Notably, Anthem is planning a national rollout_to_Medicare Advantage_plans_of_a program addressing loneliness developed_by its subsidiary CareMore Health,_according to_Robin Caruso, CareMore’s chief togetherness officer. United Healthcare_is_making health navigators_available to Medicare Advantage members at risk for social_isolation. And Kaiser Permanente is starting_a pilot program_that_will_refer lonely or isolated_older adults in its Northwest region_to community services, with plans to_eventually bring it to other regions, according_to Lucy Savitz, vice president of_health research at Kaiser Permanente_Northwest. The_effectiveness of these programs and_others remains to_be seen._Few have been_rigorously evaluated, and many assume increased_social interaction will_go a long way toward alleviating_older_adults’ distress at_not_having_meaningful relationships._But that isn’t_necessarily_the case.“Assuaging_loneliness_is not just about having random_human_contact; it’s about the quality of that_contact and who you’re_having_contact with,” said Dr_Vyjeyanthi Periyakoil, an associate professor_of medicine at Stanford University School_of Medicine._A one-size-fits-all_approach won’t work for older adults, she and other experts agreed._Instead, varied approaches that recognize the_different degrees, types and_root causes_of_loneliness are needed._The_headlines are_alarming: Between 33 and 43 per cent_of older_Americans are lonely, they proclaim. But_those figures combine two_groups:_people who are sometimes lonely and_those who are always lonely. The_distinction matters because people who_are_sometimes_lonely don’t necessarily stay that_way; they can move in and_out of this_state. And the potential health impact of_loneliness—a_higher risk of heart disease, dementia,_immune_dysfunction, functional impairment, and early death—depends_on_its_severity. People who are severely_lonely are at “high risk,” while_those who are moderately lonely are at lower risk,_said Julianne Holt-Lunstad,_a professor of psychology and_neuroscience_at_Brigham Young University. The number of people in the highest_risk category_is relatively small,_as it turns out. When AARP asked adults who participated_in its survey last year “How often_do you feel lonely or isolated from those around you?” 4_per cent said “always,” while 27 per cent_said “sometimes.”