Battling Loneliness to Improve Health for Older Adults

Aetna is taking steps to combat senior loneliness, starting with identifying Aetna Medicare Advantage members who are or may become socially isolated, writes Aetna Chief Medical Officer Robert Mirsky in U.S. News & World Report . The insurer developed a Social Isolation Index that uses claims data and multidimensional information on social determinants of health to spot members at high risk, who are then contacted by specially trained consultants to help them use local resources like clubs, support groups, transit aid, or meal-delivery services. "Oftentimes, people don't know how to address their social isolation, so having trained support to guide them is critical," Mirksy says. He adds that this initiative is part of Destination: Health, a series of CVS Health business programs designed to help people improve their health outside of a clinical setting. "Other program aspects include collaborating with Unite Us to help some of Aetna's most vulnerable Medicaid and dual-eligible (those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid) members more easily access social services within their community; using analytics to help employers identify and address social determinants of health; and investing in affordable housing across the country to help provide support for underserved and at-risk populations," Mirsky writes. He also cites Aetna's collaboration with Papa Inc., a program that matches local college students with seniors to help build companionship, and assist with household chores and technology. "Finally, we're continuing to encourage everyone to treat exercise as another means of tackling social isolation while staying healthy," Mirsky concludes.