Enhance a culture of social connection.
Strategies:
Promote policies that enhance social connection across sectors.
Promote the adoption of health care screening and referrals to programs that address social isolation and loneliness in partnership with community hubs.
Reform state-funded social connection programming to better integrate with local programs and resources, including from AAA, Villages, libraries, parks and recreation, and other community-based organizations.
Infuse social connection into core programming using a person-centered approach, including by ensuring home-delivered meal participants may participate in group meals and other in-person health and wellness activities when feasible and available.
Educate the public about the prevention of, detection of, and response to negative health effects associated with social isolation.
Promote innovative opportunities to connect Marylanders across all ages through technology, programming, and community spaces.
Promote the adoption of initiatives that increase intergenerational connection to reduce age-related bias.
Outcomes:
Short-Term (1-3 years)
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Promote social connection programs and implement enhancements to state-funded programs
Mid-Term (4-6 Years)
- Increase integration between national and local programs
- Integrate social isolation screening into clinical referral services
Long-Term (7-10 years)
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Increase awareness of risk factors of social isolation and benefits of social engagement