Study Start Up, Strategy, and Support Manager with 7+ Years Experience | Scrum Master | Amplifying Patient Voices | Boosting Trial Accessibility | Creating and Connecting Community
🌟 Loneliness Among Older Adults: A Critical Issue with Health Implications 🌟 Loneliness and social isolation are more than just emotional challenges; they have serious health implications, including an increased risk for dementia, anxiety, depression, and heart disease. 🚨 Key Findings: - 3 in 5 people over 65 are lonely or extremely lonely. - 1 in 5 seniors lack someone to lean on in case of an emergency. - 40% find it challenging to find social support. The impact of loneliness on our older population goes beyond emotional well-being—it affects their physical health and safety. As we discuss these findings, let's draw parallels to the world of clinical trials and patient engagement, recruitment, and retention. 💡 Patient Engagement in Clinical Trials: Loneliness can lead to isolation. Creating safe, useful spaces for patients is not only good for your bottom line, but good for their ongoing health and happiness. Further, engaging patients effectively can help prevent missed appointments and ensure increased compliance with study procedures. 📊 Recruitment and Retention: The data shows that loneliness increases the risk of emergency room visits significantly. In clinical trials, this could translate to patients dropping out or facing complications due to lack of support. Without social support, participants may not feel comfortable reaching out to providers, asking questions about, or taking a chance on clinical trials. Let's continue to explore innovative ways to address these challenges, both in healthcare and in our communities. Together, we can make strides in improving the well-being of our seniors and enhancing the success of clinical trials. 🤝 #PatientEngagement #ClinicalTrials #Loneliness #Healthcare
I couldn’t be more proud to share with you Papa’s first annual State of Social Health Report: A Look at Loneliness in America’s Older Adults and People with Disabilities. The report outlines 8 key findings from nearly 30,000 Medicare Advantage members who answered our baseline social needs assessment from January-June 2023—making it one of the largest single datasets on loneliness studied. The data within casts a spotlight on the undeniable significance of social connection in the lives of older adults and historically marginalized populations. Even with state-of-the art medical care, renowned doctors and nurses, and health plans that strive to meet the needs of every member, the prescription for better health is often human connection. Now, more than ever, we need to recognize social health as health and meet people where they are with personalized support in the way they need it most. Thank you, Alexa Mikhail, for speaking with me about this important issue. I invite you to read Alexa’s story out in Fortune today, and dive into the report, soak up its insights, and join the conversation. Your perspective and experiences matter, and I’m eager to hear your thoughts.
