A platform that connects seniors to combat loneliness and isolation

Suggested by James Correa over 3 years ago

Loneliness and social isolation in older adults are serious public health risks affecting a significant number of people in the United States and putting them at risk for dementia and other serious medical conditions. Nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated. Older adults are at increased risk for loneliness and social isolation because they are more likely to face factors such as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and hearing loss. Loneliness is the feeling of being alone, regardless of the amount of social contact. Social isolation is a lack of social connections. Social isolation can lead to loneliness in some people, while others can feel lonely without being socially isolated.

To date, tech has not helped connect seniors to their communities so they feel less lonely and are less isolated.

Every day in the U.S., 10,000 people turn 65, and the number of older adults will more than double over the next several decades to top 88 million people and represent over 20 percent of the population by 2050. Many seniors need assistance from caregivers with daily living activities, such as laundry or grocery shopping, but also for companionship. However, the country has struggled to meet caregiver demand since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as millions of caretakers have left the field for various reasons. On top of that, now, with the increasing population, the United Disabilities Services Foundation (UDS) expects the national caregiver shortage to reach 151,000 by 2030 and 355,000 by 2040. On average, more than 700,000 caregiving positions are expected to open each year through 2032, according to AARP. All that is to say that seniors will continue to be isolated and left to feel alone in increasing amounts as they age in the home.