Reducing Isolation and Loneliness Through Membership in a Fitness Program for Older Adults: Implications for Health

The central aim of this study is to identify whether SilverSneakers membership functions as a mechanism to improve health through reduced social isolation and increased physical activity, while examining the complex pathways through which these concepts are related

Samantha Brady; Lisa A. D’Ambrosio; Adam Felts; Elizabeth Y. Rula; Kenneth P. Kell; Joseph F. Coughlin

2018

Key concepts

Scholarcy highlights

Social isolation has been shown to have a significant impact on health and well-being
The central aim of this study is to identify whether SilverSneakers membership functions as a mechanism to improve health through reduced social isolation and increased physical activity, while examining the complex pathways through which these concepts are related
This study offers initial evidence that a nationally available fitness program for older adults has a significant impact in reducing social isolation, which accrues to better health above and beyond physical activity levels alone
SilverSneakers members are less lonely as a result of having more social connections, and this reduced loneliness provides additional health benefits for participants in the program
More research is needed to flesh out the program aspects or mechanisms that lead to better health via lessened social isolation and loneliness, these findings are consistent with previously shown impacts of SilverSneakers on health through physical activity
The results of this study reveal previously unexplored pathways by which the SilverSneakers program improves health through its effects on social isolation and loneliness

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