Social isolation among older adults is a major social problem, which leads to early mortality, poor health, and reduced cognitive functioning, costing the US an estimated $6.7 billion annually. Numerous factors increase risk for social isolation among older adults, including inadequate income, immigrant status, poor health, and lack of access to important services such as transportation and medical care. Programs which connect older adults to social, physical, and mental health care services, while allowing individuals to remain in housing environments of their choosing, have shown success in increasing the overall quality of life experienced by seniors. Program components that have been found to reduce social isolation and enhance elder well-being include: co-location of services, multi-pronged health services coordination, and community engagement strategies. The Village model and Naturally-Occurring Retirement Community Supportive Services Program (NORC-SSP) are two examples of initiatives that have demonstrated success in enhancing elder well-being utilizing this type of approach. Hotel Oakland Village (HOV) is a unique and innovative senior living community committed to increasing health and wellness in addition to reducing social isolation among its residents. Core to this model is a diverse array of no-cost program and service offerings, designed to support residents’ health, wellness, and social well-being. The coordination of health, social services, and housing at HOV presents a unique modelof care for the aging population. Potential impacts of the HOV model include reduced social isolation, decreased medical costs, and increased number of years living independently. // (2021)
