Strengthening Social Connection in Communities

                                          

The Aging Network has an essential and growing role in promoting social connection for older adults and caregivers. In addition to nearly all AAAs offering programs or activities that specifically promote social engagement, 15 percent of community-based organizations (CBOs) with health care contracts reported providing social engagement services under those contracts (Aging and Disability Business Institute, 2023). The goal of Strengthening Social Connection in Communities is to improve the health of older adults and their caregivers through replication and sustainability of evidence-based and evidence-informed social connection programs in communities and promoting alignment with Age-Friendly Ecosystem initiatives. 

• Identifying and prioritizing evidence-based and evidence-informed social connection programs best positioned for sustainability and spread through an Advisory Group and environmental scan. 
• Establishing an evidence-based social connection seed grant program to implement sustainable social connection programs in communities.
• Providing technical assistance to grantees through a learning community model and foster capacity building by disseminating learnings and outcomes.

• The John A. Hartford Foundation
• RRF Foundation for Aging
• Health Foundation for Western and Central New York

• Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University
• American Hospital Association

• Meredith Hanley, Program Director, Social Connection, Caregiving Services and Supports and Kinship Care
• Marisa Scala-Foley, Director, Aging and Disability Business Institute