Each year, the Eldercare Locator's annual Home for the Holidays campaign encourages discussion of important issues affecting older Americans at a time of the year when family and friends often gather. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live and interact with one another. This year, holiday gatherings will be different due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which encourages physical distancing, particularly for older adults who are most susceptible to the negative health impacts of the disease. For many older adults, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a loss of social connections that, if left unaddressed, can have serious negative mental and physical health consequences. To address these concerns, the Aging Network has helped ensure older adults have a place to turn for social engagement opportunities.
 
To help educate the public and key stakeholders about this year’s campaign, n4a produced a consumer brochure, Staying Connected and Healthy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Resources for Older Adults and Caregivers, which highlights the importance of social connection, its impact on our health—and ways the Aging Network can help older adults connect to their communities during this time of limited in-person social interactions. To order the brochure, please visit the Eldercare Locator online store.
 
To help your organization use this national campaign to share information about your local programs to help older adults stay connected in their communities, n4a produced a consumer brochure in English and Spanish and a toolkit of materials the Aging Network can use to promote social engagement programs and services in their communities. 

Toolkit for the Aging Network:

• Partner Toolkit
• Sample Press Release
• Sample Newsletter Article
• Sample Social Media Posts
• Sample Social Media Graphics

Does your agency have programming aimed at reducing social isolation and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic? If so, tell us about it! We’d love to highlight the important work you do every day for older adults in your community.

Please continue to visit this page during the campaign as it will be updated with materials to help the Aging Network promote the importance of social connection and local resources that can help address the need!