Session Two: The Evolving Nature of Social Connections: Promoting Well-Being in Times of Crisis

Session two

The Evolving Nature of Social Connections: Promoting Well-Being in Times of Crisis

This session addressed programs designed to make connections between and among individuals and organizations to promote well-being in the aging population.

  • Social Connect: Mindful Stress Management is a six-session program delivered virtually through a Zoom platform or telephonically. The program was revised during the early stages of the current pandemic to address the concern of increasing isolation among the elderly population. Social Connect draws on mind-body stress management strategies, in particular, Mindfulness-Based Stress Management. The session will provide the overview of the program, conceptual foundation, program elements, and lessons learned from the first pilot offerings.
  • Central Minnesota Council on Aging (CMCOA) is a non-profit organization designated by the Minnesota Board on Aging as the Area Agency on Aging for the 14 county Central Minnesota region. In partnership with public and private organizations, CMCOA helps older adults age successfully by building community capacity, advocating for aging issues, maximizing service effectiveness, and linking people with information. 
  • Chisago Age Well is one of four Silos to Circles communities whose mission is to increase awareness of, access to, and satisfaction with, existing services and health resources in the community. 
 
 
Additional Resources

 

Trainers
  • Natalie Matthewson, MA, LPC
  • Rebecca Hostetler
  • Darcy Rylander, BS, RYT, NBC-HWC
  • Steve Hoover, PhD

 

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Three-part Series on Rural Social Isolation and Loneliness 

Social isolation and loneliness are complex conditions that can have increased consequences for individuals living in rural and remote communities. The current COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates the challenges faced by providers working in rural communities in identifying and responding to the needs of individuals who may be experiencing increased social isolation and loneliness. This series aims to provide an overview of the topic, and novel ways to support providers in responding to the needs of the individuals they serve.

 

Session one

Rural Social Isolation and Loneliness: Rates, Importance, and Identifying Risk

July 14, 2020

In this session, participants learned about loneliness and social isolation among older adults in rural and urban areas. Dr. Henning Smith reviewed existing data, what we know, how social isolation and loneliness are unique in rural areas, and how rural social isolation is a health and mortality risk factor. She discussed what has changed as a result of the current health pandemic, how to prepare rural providers to ask questions to determine isolation/loneliness, and what can be done for rural people who are experiencing isolation/loneliness.

 

Session One Resources

 

Trainer

  • Carrie Henning-Smith, PhD, MPH, MSW

 

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Session three

Rural but Reachable: How to Build Grief Support by Creating Community

July 28, 2020

What are the unique qualities of our rural environments which lend to us creating community surrounding our common denominator of grief? Come explore in this engaging and interactive webinar where we will discuss how you can start the thread of connection in your own community to support those in grief. How has COVID-19 changed this and where are we now as we create new avenues of support for each other and grief becomes even more of our common experience and language?

 

Session Three Resources

 

Trainer

  • Cynthia Drake

 

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Additional Resources

Published
July 21, 2020
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Language(s)
english
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