The Real Cost Of The Loneliness Epidemic - Oasis Adult Day Center in Brooklyn

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The Real Cost Of The Loneliness Epidemic

Chronic loneliness can shorten lifespan by as much as 20 years

Americans Are Increasingly Lonely

In 2019, 61% felt lonely some or all of the time — Up from 54% in 2018
- Most say that no one around them
  - Shares their interests: 61%
  - Knows them well: 58%
  - Respects their abilities: 34%
- Everyone feels lonely at times, but younger generations feel it more
  - 2019 Loneliness Score By Generation*
    - Gen Z: 49.9
    - Millennials: 47.7
    - Gen X: 47
    - Boomers: 43.2
    - Silents: 39.9
  - In the U.S., 18% of suicide deaths are seniors — the highest suicide rate of any age group
- Why So Lonely?

77% of Americans say they lack a social support system

Everyone needs someone to turn to for
- Dependable help
- Trustworthy advice
- Shared activities
Lack of these social supports heightens the risk for extreme loneliness

Those with chronic mental & physical health conditions are at greater risk for extreme loneliness that could further compromise their health

Loneliness & Health

Poor health and loneliness go hand-in-hand
- Those who are lonely are likely to have
  - Diagnosed depression: +374%
  - Psychological distress: +374%
  - Overall poor health: +278%
- Which Comes First?
  - Chronic conditions increase the risk of loneliness
    - Substance abuse
    - Chronic physical illness
    - Dementia or Alzheimer’s
  - Loneliness can increase the risk of health issues
    - Diabetes
    - Heart disease
    - Substance abuse
  - How Does Loneliness Affect Immunity?
    - Loneliness leads to
      - Measurable effect on white blood cells, causing
        Increased inflammation
        Decreased antiviral activity
      - Increased norepinephrine which interferes with
        “Fight or flight” response
        Production of white blood cells

For seniors, extreme loneliness can increase the risk of death by 14%

Adult Day Care: Socialization Is Essential

What Is Adult Day Care?
- Provides health, nutrition, exercise, and social services in a group setting
  - Allows adults in need of care to continue living at home for longer
  - Reduces daily burden and provides education for informal caregivers
- Serves patients with chronic conditions requiring care and monitoring
  - Dementia: 50%
  - Hypertension: 46%
  - Physical disability: 42%
  - Cardiovascular disease: 34%
  - Diabetes: 31%
  - Mental illness: 25%
  - Developmental disability: 20%
- The Benefits Of Day Care

[Call Out: Poor diet and lack of exercise have been linked to increased loneliness — Adult Day Care provides these in a group setting for both physical and social benefits]

Social Benefits
- Social connections with other participants
- Empowering relationships with staff
- Engaging and enjoyable group activities
Health Benefits
- Fewer ER visits and hospital admissions
- Shorter hospitals stay when admitted
- Delays cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients
Cost Benefits
- Annually, day care costs $56,540 less per person than a nursing home
- 47% of day care participants qualify for nursing home care
- 20% would move in within a few months of losing day care services
Adult Day Care In The Age Of Coronavirus

After a stroke, loneliness is linked to greater risk of depression and poor recovery — But, weekly telehealth sessions for discussion and exercise significantly reduced loneliness for stroke survivors and caregivers

Many 911 calls are for services that could be provided elsewhere — using limited emergency resources need to fight the virus
- Seniors living alone and looking for someone to talk to
- Those in need of medical care but lacking transportation
- Adults with insufficient help or poorly managed conditions
While in-person programs have closed to protect patients from COVID-19 — Many are continuing to offer remote services
- Daily check-in calls and medication reminders
- Caregiver assistance, education, and medical guidance
- Companionship calls and social teleconferencing
- Grocery shopping and food delivery assistance

CTA: Adult Day Care is essential — Help make our voice heard!

End Flow

Sources:

https://creakyjoints.org/support/coping-with-loneliness-chronic-illness/

https://www.npr.org/2019/07/27/745017374/isolated-and-struggling-many-seniors-are-turning-to-suicide

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/understanding-grief/202001/why-do-the-elderly-commit-suicide

https://www.cigna.com/about-us/newsroom/studies-and-reports/combatting-loneliness/

https://www.cigna.com/individuals-families/health-wellness/chronic-loneliness

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/303084#CTRA-gene-expression-fueled-by-disrupted-fight-or-flight-signaling

https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article/57/6/e85/3072901

https://madsa.net/adult-day-health-programs-save-state-dollars-and-improve-health-care

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5513556/