Addressing isolation and loneliness among seniors

Dr. Jacques Lee would love to see that number drop. The Research Chair in Geriatric Emergency Medicine at the Schwartz/Reisman Emergency Medicine Institute (SREMI) at Mount Sinai Hospital, Dr. Lee is leading national research studies to transform the care of older people in the emergency department.

After seeing how the terrible effects of social isolation — particularly on older adults— during the pandemic, Dr. Lee directed his research efforts toward identifying and treating loneliness.

“If we don’t treat an important determinant of health, outcomes are going to suffer, and we’re not going to be able to afford to take care of people.”

Dr. Jacques Lee, Research Chair in Geriatric Emergency Medicine at the Schwartz/Reisman Emergency Medicine Institute (SREMI) at Mount Sinai Hospital

His current study involves treating loneliness with the help of trained hospital volunteers. The trial connects hospital volunteers with recently discharged seniors. These volunteers receive training on how to engage with isolated seniors over weekly video calls to make positive connections and have enjoyable conversations.

Dr. Lee believes physicians need to start asking their patients if they feel lonely. He hopes results from his studies will produce new tools for combatting loneliness. “If we don’t treat an important determinant of health,” says Dr. Lee, “outcomes are going to suffer, and we’re not going to be able to afford to take care of people.”

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