Embrace Living Communities (ELC) is committed to the mental well-being of their residents. This means staying in-tune with residents’ unique needs and creating programs that address them holistically.
According to an annual evidence-based assessment conducted by ELC, 35% of the residents living within their communities reported feeling socially isolated. That’s 801 residents in need of meaningful social connection, an important factor for mental health and quality life.
This number inspired the ELC team to explore creative ways to tackle resident loneliness, and that meant securing funding for mental wellness programs for their residents. With support from United Church Funds, ELC is proud to announce its “Embracing Well-Being” initiative.
United Church Funds has granted ELC $30,000 to be used over three years for programming as well as annual staff education in mental health, trauma-informed care and other techniques. This funding will support 1,400 residents at 16 communities where no funding is currently available for programming.
Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has identified loneliness as a critical public health issue that is affecting the health and well-being of our communities. Loneliness affects our mental and physical well-being in lasting, negative ways, and if left unaddressed can lead to depression. It can also impact an older person’s independence and ability to carry out daily activities.
ELC’s social service coordinators measured loneliness by using the UCLA Loneliness Assessment and Lubben Social Isolation Assessment as part of their annual resident assessments. These resulted in individual scores that let social service coordinators know which residents were at-risk and enabled them to find resources.
Using the UCLA Loneliness Scale, 13% of ELC residents were at-risk for loneliness with an average assessment score of 3.62. Researchers grouped people who scored between three and five as “not lonely.” People with a score between six and nine were grouped as “lonely.”
Using the Lubben Social Isolation Scale, 35% of ELC residents were at-risk for social isolation with an average assessment score of 14.04. A score of 12 or lower delineates a resident is “at-risk” for social isolation.
While these scores indicate that ELC residents were doing alright on average, it doesn’t change the fact that many self-reported feeling socially isolated, and it doesn’t mean that those who were grouped as “lonely” or “at-risk” don’t still need support.
ELC has begun a series of programs called “Embracing Well-Being” that offers participants the opportunity for social connection and growth through skills development and a sense of belonging. Here are some of the programs that will be offered:
Connect to Thrive: Let’s Get Together
This six-week program teaches participants about what loneliness and social connectedness are and takes participants on a personal journey where they can grow in their own self-understanding and acceptance. The program is grounded in evidence-based approaches, such as positive psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness. Sessions are highly interactive, thought-provoking, and fun. Each session ends with a shared meal and time for conversation and connection.
This program was created and introduced through Aurora Advocate Health and Kirsten Peachy, Vice President, Faith Outreach; Co-Director, The Center for Faith and Community Health Transformation; and Board Chair, Council for Health, and Human Service Ministry (CHSSM).
Creativity Circle
This eight-week program was founded upon research-based methodology and promotes social connection through a series of fun and fulfilling arts-based group sessions that are tailored to benefit older adults. Every session is structured around three components: creative expression, mindfulness, and social and emotional learning.
This program was created by Jeremy Nobel, MD, MPH, who founded The Foundation for Art & Healing in 2003 to explore and champion the connection between creative modalities and health and well-being.
Let’s Keep Moving Together
Building upon the successful walking challenge Let’s Get Moving Together, which was funded by a legacy donation from the Congregational Church of Deerfield through United Church Funds, this program offers instructor-led line dancing to residents looking for interactive physical activity. Line dancing is a low-impact activity that encourages older adults with limited mobility to move and interact with others. Studies have shown that dancing can improve cardiovascular health, balance and flexibility while also reducing stress and anxiety.
Wellness Lifestyle
This is a mental health support and outreach program that teaches participants about important life skills topics. These classes are relevant to residents’ daily experiences, teach skills that can be used the same day and provide tools and resources as well as opportunities to build social connections.
Resident Engagement Game Bundle
A result of recent listening sessions with residents, this program promotes independent social connection through games. Residents mentioned they would enjoy getting together in the community room for table games such as chess, checkers, dominos, cards, Uno, Bunco, Scrabble and puzzles.
ELC has always been committed to the mental and physical health of its residents, and this grant from United Church Funds will support them in furthering that commitment at communities in need. To learn more about how your organization or community foundation can fund ELC, visit our website.
Feel free to contact us for any future resident, current resident, or general inquiries.
