Medicare Advantage insurers have been investing in programs and supplemental benefits to help their enrollees who are struggling with social isolation and loneliness.
If you are socially isolated or feeling lonely, it can put your physical and mental health at risk. Adults who are lonely or socially isolated are less healthy, have longer hospital stays, are readmitted to the hospital more often, and are more likely to die earlier than those with meaningful and supportive social connections.
A 2019 University of Michigan study found that 34% of Americans aged 50 to 80 feel they lack companionship, while 27% feel isolated.
Socially isolated seniors were associated with $7 billion in additional health care spending, according to a 2017 report by the American Association of Retired Persons, which also found that around one in four adults over 65 was considered socially isolated.
Insurers started offering programs to help seniors battling social isolation and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic and have been fine-tuning and broadening the programs ever since. Medicare insurers have been taking different approaches to these programs, which often start with a diagnosis that a senior is reporting feeling socially isolated and lonely.
If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, your insurer may have a program to help you.
Here’s what various MA insurers are doing:
Aetna — Aetna has created a “Social Isolation Index” that uses claims data and social determinants of health to identify high-risk MA enrollees, who are contacted by specially trained consultants in its Resources for Living program.
The program serves as an early point of intervention for the many non-medical issues that impact members’ health. Available to all Aetna MA enrollees and their caregivers, it helps connect vulnerable seniors to important community resources.
Resources for Living consultants work directly with beneficiaries to understand their needs and connect them with local resources, like:
- Clubs,
- Support groups,
- Home visitor programs,
- Transportation,
- Caregiver support,
- Volunteering opportunities, and
- Senior travel or activity groups.
Scan Health Plan — This is an MA specialist that operates in California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas.
In 2021, it launched its Togetherness Program, which matches its enrollees with to peer counselors who are in the same age group as members and share their interests and maybe their hobbies, too. Once a member is matched with a “friendly phoner,” they can connect for a little “togetherness” time on the phone each week.
The program also offers virtual and in-person classes based on the shared interests of members.
The company says the program has reduced members’ depression and loneliness scores and referrals have been robust.
Humana — Humana started screening its MA enrollees in 2021 after finding that those who reported two or more social needs were more likely to have avoidable emergency department use of hospitalizations.
Humana offers enrollees who report feeling isolated or lonely referrals to community social programs and free memberships to a fitness program called SilverSneakers, which is tailored to seniors. Aetna also offers SilverSneakers memberships to its MA enrollees.
Taking your own steps
First off, focus on your health by getting enough sleep (seven to nine hours a night), eating healthy, exercising and pursuing activities you enjoy, in order to help manage stress and stay as mentally and physically healthy as possible.
If you are feeling lonely and/or isolated you can also take steps, including:
- Finding an activity that you enjoy, restarting an old hobby or taking a class to learn something new. You might have fun and meet people with similar interests.
- Scheduling time each day to stay in touch with family, friends and neighbors in person, by e-mail, social media, voice call or text.
- Consider adopting a pet if you are able to care for one.
- Staying physically active and including group exercise, such as joining a walking club or working out with a friend.
- Introducing yourself to your neighbors.
- Finding a faith-based organization where you can deepen your spirituality and engage with others in activities and events.
- Checking out resources and programs at your local social service agencies, community and senior centers and public libraries.
- Joining a cause and getting involved in your community.
The takeaway
Loneliness is a serious issue that disproportionately affects the senior population. If you are struggling, reach out to your MA insurer to see if they have any programs to help you. Also, consider taking a first step yourself by finding local resources that put you in touch with others in your community, including volunteering.
