The Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens, Area Agency on Aging is pleased to announce that it is supporting a national campaign to raise awareness of the growing problem of social isolation and loneliness in older Americans.
“It is estimated that one in five adults over age 50 are affected by isolation, a problem that has been associated with higher rates of chronic disease, depression, dementia and death,” announced Barry Jay Marks, Chair, AAA Advisory Council. ‘That means that over 30,000 older residents of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties are isolated and lonely.”
“This topic is especially timely because it is developed to encourage discussion of important issues affecting older Americans at a time of the year when family and friends often gather together”, continued Mr. Marks. “The Area Agency on Aging is specially equipped to offer information and resources to help older adults reduce their risk of becoming isolated or lonely.”
“This Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and its many partners provide crucial home and community-based services and supports for older adults throughout this two county region”, continued Mr. marks. This AAA is uniquely positioned to shine a light on this growing problem and to help find solutions.”
“Because our agency is on the frontlines of helping older Americans live with dignity and independence in their homes, connecting them to an array of home and community based services so vital to their well-being, we are often the first to realize that an older adult is isolated and lonely,” continued Mr. Marks. “That’s why we believe our participation in this national campaign can have such a major impact locally. This campaign is led by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), in collaboration with the AARP Foundation.
For more information about the campaign to prevent isolation and loneliness, please contact the Area Agency on Aging at 965-3288, 925- 9554 or 541-0384.
###
