Increasing Social Connectedness for Underserved Older Adults Living with Depression: A Pre-Post Evaluation of PEARLS

Social isolation and loneliness have emerged as significant health concerns for older adults, increasing their risk of early death, cognitive decline, poor health and well-being,1 and costs of health care.2 While often conflated, these are distinct health concerns: Social isolation is an objective measure of social ties and activities, while loneliness is a subjective assessment of the disconnect between perceived and ideal social connections.3-4 The overarching term “social connectedness” is now used to encompass the “structural, functional, and qualitative aspects of social relationships,” including social isolation and loneliness.

Source: The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry - October 15, 2020 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Lesley Steinman, Amanda Parrish, Caitlin Mayotte, Perla Bravo, Eva Torres, Mariana Markova, Margaret Boddie, Sue Lachmeyer, Carol Nohelia Montoya, Libby Parker, Edrei Conton-Pelaez, Edrei Conton-Pelaez, Mark Snowden Source Type: research