Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, according to a nationwide study, an estimated 25% of adults over 65 were socially isolated. Loneliness and isolation can lead to serious health challenges including increased rates of anxiety, suicide and depression, a 50% increase in dementia, 29% increase in heart disease, a 32% increase in stroke, and four times the risk of premature death, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Please join Ethos on Thursday, January 7, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., for a special virtual “Conversation on Aging: Social Isolation, the Difference between Alone and Lonely” as we explore this topic and discuss ways to stay connected through the pandemic and beyond.
Questions our panelists will answer include:
- Why are older adults at high risk for social isolation and what are the effects on physical and mental health?
- What is uniquely stressful about the social isolation caused by the pandemic?
- What is the difference between being “alone” and being lonely?
- What can you and your family do to ease social isolation?
- What community resources are available to you and how can you access them?
Panelists for this event include Kathleen McInnis-Dittrich Ph.D., ACSW, and a nationally recognized expert on aging issues and retired professor of Social Work at Boston College; Sue Tena, LICSW, Home Care Director for Ethos, who oversees the in-home care the agency provide older adults; and Ann Glora, the Healthy Aging Program Manager for Ethos, who is responsible for a number of community-based health, wellness and socialization programs throughout Boston.
There is no cost to attend however, registration is required. Please click HERE or the link below to register.
Lastly, as you consider your end-of-year giving, please know that the staff at Ethos are working hard to keep our older and disabled neighbors in Boston stay healthy, active, and remain connected to their community through this crisis but we can’t do it alone. We need your help to give back to those who have already given us so much. We hope you can take a few moments and make a gift to Ethos that is meaningful to you.
Please visit https://www.ethocare.org/donate, call 617-477-6638, or email rsantos@ethocare.org to make an end of year donation or for more information about how you can support Ethos.
Thank you and we hope you will join us for our Conversation on Aging on January 7th.
