The Addressing Social Isolation in Older Adults through Pharmacies project, funded by a Michigan Health Endowment Fund’s Healthy Aging Grant, was implemented from December 2021 to July 2024. It aimed to reduce social isolation and loneliness (SIL) in adults 60 and older by educating pharmacists on these issues and providing direct access to resources and services for at-risk individuals.
The project set an ambitious goal of screening 420 patients across 13 pharmacies. By the end, eight pharmacies remained active, screening 342 patients—an impressive 43 screenings per pharmacy. Initially, many older adults declined screenings, particularly those who felt less isolated after the pandemic. To address this, the project introduced outreach brochures targeting older adults receiving home medication deliveries. This adjustment led to a 220% increase in screenings after 1,173 brochures were distributed.
Activities focused on recruiting pharmacies from Michigan’s Ionia, Macomb, Wayne, and St. Clair counties. The project aimed to raise SIL awareness among healthcare providers, increase screenings for at-risk older adults and connect those identified as isolated with senior service providers like Meals on Wheels and senior centers. By the project’s conclusion, 34 referrals had been made for care management and other social services.
A heartfelt testimonial from one of the pharmacists emphasized the program’s life-changing impact. A long-time patient, once outgoing, had grown withdrawn and appeared to be losing weight. After screening positive for SIL, she was referred to the Council on Aging and began attending social groups and a dining program at a senior center. The pharmacist, who had been concerned about the patient’s well-being, was emotional when she learned the patient had made new friends, was eating better, and expressed gratitude for the referral. The pharmacist acknowledged that before the SIL program, she wouldn’t have known how to help.
As part of its sustainability plan, the project developed an e-learning change package. This package allows pharmacists and healthcare professionals to continue screening older adults for SIL and provides resources to replicate the program in other settings.