Social Prescribing: Creating Pathways Towards Better Health and Wellness

Mulligan, Kate; Bhatti, Sara; Rayner, Jennifer; Hsiung, Sonia

doi:10.1111/jgs.16249

Cited by 22 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 6 publications

(7 reference statements)

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“…10 In addition, we suggest medical and health providers establish partnerships and referral networks to allow for "social prescribing" to local community-based support programs. 10,34,35 Lastly, our study demonstrates that technology can be a powerful tool to help adults connect during periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet overreliance on technologies can heighten or accentuate digital and socioeconomic divides.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

“…Brief phone calls or inquiries about social isolation and loneliness during the pandemic may be feasible for primary care offices or community organizations, and they are often welcomed by older adults 10 . In addition, we suggest medical and health providers establish partnerships and referral networks to allow for “social prescribing” to local community‐based support programs 10,34,35 . Lastly, our study demonstrates that technology can be a powerful tool to help adults connect during periods such as the COVID‐19 pandemic.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

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Social Isolation and Loneliness Among San Francisco Bay Area Older Adults During the COVID‐19 Shelter‐in‐Place Orders

Kotwal

Holt‐Lunstad

Newmark

et al. 2020

J American Geriatrics Society

268

310

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Background/Objectives Physical distancing during the COVID‐19 pandemic may have unintended, detrimental effects on social isolation and loneliness among older adults. Our objectives were to investigate 1) experiences of social isolation and loneliness during shelter‐in‐place orders and 2) unmet health needs related to changes in social interactions. Design Mixed‐methods, longitudinal phone‐based survey administered every 2 weeks. Setting Two community sites and an academic geriatrics outpatient clinical practice. Participants 151 community‐dwelling older adults. Measurements We measured social isolation using a 6‐item modified Duke Social Support Index, social interaction sub‐scale, which included assessments of video‐based and internet‐based socializing. Measures of loneliness included self‐reported worsened loneliness due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, and loneliness severity based on the 3‐item UCLA loneliness scale. Participants were invited to share open‐ended comments about their social experiences. Results Participants were on average 75 years old (SD = 10), 50% had hearing or vision impairment, 64% lived alone, and 26% difficulty bathing. Participants reported social isolation in 40% of interviews, 76% reported minimal video‐based socializing, and 42% minimal internet‐based socializing. Socially isolated participants reported difficulty finding help with functional needs, including bathing (20% vs 55%, p = .04). Over half (54%) of participants reported worsened loneliness due to COVID‐19, which was associated with worsened depression (62% vs 9%, p < .001) and anxiety (57% vs 9%, p < .001). Rates of loneliness improved on average by time since shelter‐in‐place orders (4–6 weeks: 46% vs 13–15 weeks: 27%, p = .009), however, loneliness persisted or worsened for a subgroup of participants. Open‐ended responses revealed challenges faced by the subgroup experiencing persistent loneliness, including poor emotional coping and discomfort with new technologies. Conclusions Many older adults are adjusting to COVID‐19 restrictions since the start of shelter‐in‐place orders. Additional steps are critically needed to address the psychological suffering and unmet medical needs of those with persistent loneliness or barriers to technology‐based social interaction.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Social Isolation and Loneliness Among San Francisco Bay Area Older Adults During the COVID‐19 Shelter‐in‐Place Orders

Kotwal

Holt‐Lunstad

Newmark

et al. 2020

J American Geriatrics Society

268

310

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For example, a community-based intervention (eg, social prescribing) to address patients' isolation in healthcare institutions has recently been discussed. 19,20 This support system may have a positive effect on the HRQOL of impoverished people who live alone.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Health-related Quality of Life Among Impoverished Persons in the Free/Low-Cost Medical Care Program in Japan: Evidence From a Prospective Cohort Study

Nishioka

Tamaki

Furuita

et al. 2022

Journal of Epidemiology

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Background: The Free=Low-Cost Medical Care Program (FLCMC) can subsidize the payment (exempt=lower) in designated institutions in Japan. Given that poverty is a multidimensional concept including social isolation, the FLCMC applicants may need social support over and above financial aid to improve their quality of life. However, there was no data to discuss what services should be provided and to whom. Hence, we aimed to describe the changes in health-related quality of life scores among users of the FLCMC, with respect to their socioeconomic backgrounds. Methods: This cohort study included patients who newly used FLCMC from July 2018 to April 2019. We used patients' social work records, obtained at baseline, and self-report questionnaires on the Medical Outcomes Study 8 Items Short Form Health Survey (SF-8), measured both at baseline and 6 months after the application. We used the change in physical and mental health component summary scores (PCS-8 and MCS-8, respectively) as outcome variables. Results: Multiple linear regression analyses, adjusting for age, sex, healthcare institute, and baseline PCS-8 and MCS-8, showed that lower income was associated with an increase in PCS-8 (coef. −0.09; 95% CI, −0.15 to, −0.03) and MCS-8 (coef. −0.04; 95% CI, −0.11, to 0.03). Living alone (versus living with someone) was potentially associated with a decrease in both PCS-8 (coef. −1.58; 95% CI, −7.26 to 4.09) and MCS-8 (coef. −3.62; 95% CI, −9.19 to 1.95). Conclusions: Among patients using FLCMC, those who live alone may need additional support. Further study testing the generalizability of the findings is required.

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“…The literature shows promising evidence to the benefits of social prescribing, primarily in the United Kingdom [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ] and in Canada [ 27 ]. Social prescribing can involve a variety of activities designed to support people with a wide range of social, emotional or practical needs.…”

Section: Case Study 2: Social Prescribing Supporting Social Connecmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combining the Digital, Social and Physical Layer to Create Age-Friendly Cities and Communities

Pedell

Borda

Keirnan³

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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This qualitative investigation makes suggestions about creating age-friendly cities for older adults focusing on three domains of the World Health Organization (WHO) age-friendly city framework namely “Communication and Information”, “Outdoor Spaces and Buildings” and “Social Participation”. The authors present two case studies, the first one focusing on older adults using activity wearables for health self-management in the neighborhood, and the second one focusing on older adults engaged in social prescribing activities in the community. The authors then reflect on the relationships of the domains and future opportunities for age-friendly cities. These case studies apply a co-design and citizen-based approach focusing within these larger frameworks on emotions, values and motivational goals of older adults. Results suggest how the convergence of the often siloed age-friendly city components based on older adults’ goals and input can lead to better social participation and longer-term health outcomes. The authors propose that the digital, physical and social aspects need to be considered in all domains of age-friendly cities to achieve benefits for older adults. Further work involving older adults in the future shaping of age-friendly neighborhoods and cities, and identifying barriers and opportunities is required.

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Social Prescribing: Creating Pathways Towards Better Health and Wellness

Abstract: See the response from https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.16253 et al.

Cited by 22 publications

References 6 publications

Social Isolation and Loneliness Among San Francisco Bay Area Older Adults During the COVID‐19 Shelter‐in‐Place Orders

Social Isolation and Loneliness Among San Francisco Bay Area Older Adults During the COVID‐19 Shelter‐in‐Place Orders

Changes in Health-related Quality of Life Among Impoverished Persons in the Free/Low-Cost Medical Care Program in Japan: Evidence From a Prospective Cohort Study

Combining the Digital, Social and Physical Layer to Create Age-Friendly Cities and Communities

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