The road to senior social connection isn’t paved

The pandemic left many of us feeling lonely, cut off from the outside world and isolated within our homes.

After restrictions lifted and we were able to resume normal activities, these feelings of loneliness and isolation resolved for many. But for seniors, these feelings may just be part of daily life. Older individuals have more of a risk of experiencing loneliness and isolation, and these difficult feelings can lead to negative physical and mental health consequences.

Per the U.S. Census Bureau, older adults (age 65 and older) comprised about 17% of the population in Jennings County in 2022. There are options for seniors to stay connected to the community. The Senior Resource Center in North Vernon offers events like lunches, bingo and Sunday dances, which can provide a social outlet for our seniors to help prevent loneliness. The problem is that getting there may be impossible.

In 2023, social psychologist Basharat Hussein and his colleagues explored the impact of loneliness and social networks on seniors in rural communities. They found that participation in group and community activities helped decrease the loneliness felt by seniors, and in turn, was linked with better mental and physical health outcomes. By contrast, isolation from the community has been demonstrated to worsen cognitive impairments like dementia and mental health challenges such as depression.

Older adults living in a rural community were more likely to experience loneliness as compared to peers living in assisted living facilities and were at a higher risk for experiencing loneliness after social and physical losses, as compared to seniors living in urban settings. The study suggested that the use of technology can help to alleviate some feelings of loneliness. However, per the U.S. Census Bureau in 2022, around 16% of the households in Jennings County do not have access to the internet, meaning this solution will not solve the problem for each individual in the community.

Transportation can be a challenge for people of all ages in Jennings County. There are frequent posts on social media groups, such as Heads Up Jennings County, asking for a rides to work, the grocery store or other important destinations. Public transportation is non-existent. There is one single cab, and even rideshare companies like Uber have chosen not to operate in this community. This means that if our seniors cannot drive or rely on a loved one for transportation, they are unable to make it to one of the wonderful events hosted by the Senior Resource Center. Lack of access to transportation leaves our seniors vulnerable to experiencing isolation and loneliness, and the depression and worsening physical health that accompanies these feelings.

What can be done to solve this problem?

I propose that the Senior Resource Center begin a shuttle service for seniors, to increase accessibility to their events. It’s no secret that Jennings County has one of the highest income tax rates in Indiana. Some of these taxes can go to fund this service. Older adults can call the Senior Resource Center and schedule a pickup time to be taken to the event, then can be taken home once the event is over. The center can coordinate pickup times based on where the older adult is located, similar to how school bus routes are designed, to make the process more efficient.

Improving access to the Senior Resource Center can increase the number of seniors who can participate in their events and ideally decrease the number of seniors who experience loneliness and social isolation in Jennings County.