Leaders strive to help elderly

Focus on reducing senior isolation

Community leaders from the Lakeland Foundation, Lake County Council on Aging and hChoices identified a concern and worked together to find a solution.

“There is a large percentage of lonely people, especially seniors in Lake County,” said Steve Pelton, who is the president of hChoices. “We thought about what we could do tackle this issue. So we collaborated with local organizations that are all willing to help. We are calling it the Lake County Social Isolation and Loneliness Initiative.”

“It’s an exciting initiative that has a lot of potential,” said Lake County Council on Aging Chief Executive Officer Joseph Tomsick. Tomsick said it aligns well with the Council on Aging strategic plan.

One of the goals identified in the strategic plan is to reach out to people who are at risk for social isolation.

Bob Cahen, who is the executive director of the Lakeland

“There is a large percentage of lonely people, especially seniors in Lake County.”

Foundation, also was instrumental in the development of this program, which is designed to reduce social isolation.

Pelton, Tomsick and Cahen also partnered with Lake County commissioners, Laketran, RSVP of Lake County, Lake Health, Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board, Hospice of the Western Reserve, Lake County YMCA, Lake County General Health District and local churches, senior centers and libraries.

“We will be offering free programming to older adults and using technology to engage them,” he said. “They will be able to participate at home.”

The hChoices program promotes optimal wellness through technology, education and social engagement, according to its website.

The Lake County Social Isolation and Loneliness Initiative will provide a variety of programming. Individuals who participate in the program can either access the presentations on a device with internet or by telephone.

“The goal is to get people engaged and connected to other services to prevent isolation and loneliness,” Pelton said. “We know connecting to technology isn’t the best for socialization, but it is a start. We want to make sure they know what resources are available.”

Tomsick said while it is a pilot program, they hope to continue and expand it.

As part of the initiative, they also will track the participant’s outcomes.

“We want to be able to show if they are more active, more engaged and how are they impacted,” he said.

For long-term sustainability, Pelton said they will seek extended support through grants.

“We just want to strengthen Lake County,” he said.

For more information or to connect a senior to this program, contact hChoices Business Development Vice President Gerri Hubbell at 440-478-5640 or visit hchoices.com.

“The big push starts in April,” Pelton said. “All partners are on board and the platform is ready.”