How Senior Living Communities Are Uniquely Equipped to Combat the Loneliness Epidemic

Brookdale Senior Living

April 03, 2024

How Senior Living Communities Are Uniquely Equipped to Combat the Loneliness Epidemic

As adults enter their senior years, many find themselves navigating a landscape of social isolation and solitude, often because of the death of a spouse or close friends, retirement, physical health problems, mobility limitations or financial constraints. In fact, a research report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) suggests that more than one-third of adults age 45 and older feel lonely, and one-fourth of adults age 65 and older are socially isolated.

In 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy referred to loneliness as a public health epidemic, releasing an 82-page report titled “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community.” In the opening letter, Murthy wrote that “the mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and even greater than that associated with obesity and physical inactivity.” Simply put, loneliness and isolation have far-reaching consequences and can have a negative impact on an individual’s mental, emotional and physical well-being. For senior adults, loneliness and social isolation can lead to a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, dementia, depression and anxiety, and other chronic health conditions, the NASEM report says.

Healthcare providers should prioritize addressing loneliness in senior adults because of the compelling evidence of its negative impact on health. Providers — especially primary care providers — have a unique opportunity to identify patients who are isolated or lonely. Oftentimes, these providers may be the only point of regular social interaction for many patients. Although healthcare providers may not be able to solve every problem related to social challenges, they can recommend interventions and resources that can strengthen and improve social connections and engagement.

One recommendation for senior adults facing loneliness and social isolation is moving to a senior living community, where residents may benefit from an environment uniquely designed to support not only their health, but their social needs as well. Establishing authentic connections with others may have a potentially significant impact on one’s health. Dr. Juliane Holt-Lunstad, professor of psychology at Brigham Young University, analyzed multiple studies representing more than 300,000 participants and found that having stronger social relationships is associated with a 50% reduced risk of premature death. Additionally, research shows that senior adults in the United States who have an active social life may have a slower rate of memory decline.

A Sense of Belonging: The Brookdale Approach

Senior living communities should offer more than just apartments. Communities such as Brookdale are intended to foster dynamic and engaging connections that help support overall health and well-being. Here’s what sets Brookdale apart from the rest.

1. Brookdale communities are focused on fostering friendships. While other senior living communities typically utilize a legacy engagement programming model with streamlined programming based on past interests and large group classes, at Brookdale, we prioritize friendships first and programs second. Our EngagementPlus^TMmodel is built around what is most interesting to each individual in the present: what they like now, who they are now, and what they wish to accomplish next. We are focused on fostering friendships and nurturing deep relationships among residents.

2. Brookdale communities treat each resident as an individual. When a new resident moves to a Brookdale Senior Living community, our team takes a personalized approach to get to know that person on an individual basis. This way, social engagement opportunities are catered to their interests, and we can better connect them to other residents with common interests. Staff members understand that each resident has a unique story, and they offer support to help make residents feel valued, empowered and cared for.

3. Brookdale communities create community. At Brookdale, we offer residents a community-centric environment. The National Institute on Aging says that people who engage in meaningful activities with others tend to live longer, have a better mood and feel a sense of purpose. This community-centric approach can have an impact on health outcomes, too. “Our residents, as they live alongside one another, can sometimes be the first to notice a change in condition among their peers,” writes Kim Elliott, Chief Nursing Officer, Brookdale Senior Living. “That level of caring and concern buoys our residents with profound benefits for their psychological well-being, and it helps bring a dynamic and powerful social aspect to a phase of life that can often be quite isolating.”

4. Brookdale communities offer shared spaces. Shared spaces play an important role in combating loneliness. A communal dining area, a library or a game room helps foster opportunities for social interactions. “When I walk into a community and everyone’s in their rooms, and the doors are all shut, and it’s very quiet — that’s not really what I’m looking for,” said board-certified internal medicine physician Dr. Grady Goodwin, in an interview with Brookdale in December 2023. “When I come here [to Brookdale], I love that about half the time I knock on people’s doors, they’re not there. They’re downstairs in the common area. They’re playing games. Every time I knock on a door and someone’s not there, I love it. And that happens very often at Brookdale. And I think that is certainly the most important thing beyond just the kind of [medical] oversight that communities can offer.”

Learn More

Are you a physician and want to learn more about why Brookdale Senior Living is a smart choice for your patients? Not only do we offer social engagement opportunities, but we also provide your patients with personalized care, medication management, and assistance managing chronic conditions to help them stay healthier longer. Let’s work together.