Addressing the Many Faces of Social Isolation and Loneliness

*This webinar took place on 5.25.22 proceed to bottom for link to watch.*

Loneliness and social isolation affect all age and demographic groups. The pandemic both worsened this long-standing issue and raised the visibility of it. 

While they are not the same (loneliness is subjectively feeling alone while social isolation is objectively being alone or with infrequent social contact), both have been associated with worsening health-related quality of life, increased mortality, higher risk for a variety of physical and mental health conditions, and other poor health outcomes.

Join experts from Humana and the Institute on Aging as we explore the challenges, opportunities and cutting-edge approaches to help people and minimize the negative impacts of social isolation and loneliness.

In this discussion, you will hear about:

• How addressing loneliness and social isolation requires an individualized approach based on personal preferences and existing social support resources
• Interventions that address the unique needs of specific populations, such as Medicare, Medicaid and dual-eligible beneficiaries, residents of rural communities, urban challenges, and more.
• Technology as a driver of loneliness as well as a potential intervention
• Ways to evaluate solutions for feasibility, viability and desirability

Meet the Speakers:

Emily McGrath

Associate Director, Population Health Strategy – Humana

Emily McGrath has 14 years of experience in healthcare and serves as the Associate Director of Population Health Strategy at Humana. In her role, she leads innovation and product development strategy for social determinants of health, as a part of Humana’s Bold Goal/Office of Population Health. Emily has broad experience in integrating social determinants of health into benefits and healthcare delivery.

Emily received a bachelor’s degree in Financial Economics from Centre College and a master’s in business administration from Bellarmine University.

Mia Grigg

Vice President, Integrated Care Service – Institute on Aging

Prior to this role, Mia served as IOA’s Senior Director of the Friendship Line, a nationwide crisis and warmline serving older adults and adults with disabilities. With decades of experience in health care settings including inpatient and acute care, community based care and client advocacy, Mia brings a robust understanding of the complexities of the healthcare system and understanding of client journeys. Beyond her extensive experience, Mia was deeply impacted growing up in rural Maui – which gave her a unique, respectful, and honest view of aging.  As such, she now focuses IOA’s Integrated Care Services through the lens of client empathy and efficacy. Before joining IOA, Mia was the Program Director for Buckelew Programs transitional and residential adult programs, serving those with severe mental health diagnoses, substance use and complex medical diagnoses.

Mia is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and received her MA from the University of San Francisco.

Our Moderator

Connie Ducaine, PhD, LPC, LCADC, ACS, NCC

 SVP Strategic Solutions
Vital Decisions

Dr. Ducaine started her career with Vital Decisions 9 years ago, working directly with health plan members facing end-of-life decisions. Through her clinical work, Dr. Ducaine has witnessed the benefits of advance care planning and patient engagement. As a licensed professional counselor, she continues to support individuals who are coping with various mental health issues.

Dr. Ducaine is recognized as a visionary leader and trusted advisor with long-term executive relationships focused on providing support and programming for counselor educators and supervisors in the state.

Watch the Video