Reconnecting Those in
Isolation

There are many reasons why someone age 50 and older becomes isolated from family and community. It could be an injury or illness; the loss of reliable transportation; a spouse or partner who has Alzheimer’s or another illness that requires constant care; or a job loss that makes the person feel like he or she doesn’t matter. And as a crisis gets worse, it’s easy to become homebound, disconnected, overwhelmed, stranded — or in one word, isolated.

At AARP Foundation, we understand that combating and preventing isolation in people 50 and over isn’t about fixing one thing. We have to look at all the connections that make up a person’s life, and come up with ways to make sure connections stay strong, even in times of stress and crisis.

Lifetime Arts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting professionally led arts programs for older adults, has brought its services into libraries around the country. Its Creative Aging in America’s Libraries program, supported by AARP Foundation, offers classes in dance, visual arts, writing, drama, sculpture, singing and more. The benefits are many. Studies show that “sequential learning” like this (taking a series of classes or workshops) promotes health, improves cognitive functioning and can even help with disease prevention. And there’s no doubt that taking classes with fellow seniors, interacting with professional art teachers, and showcasing results for the public are great ways to reduce social isolation.

Aging at Home: Will You Be Lonely?

Blogger Rachel Adelson explores why, as they get older, many people find themselves stranded in their own neighborhoods Read