Combatting Loneliness Through Connection and Community Engagement

Published in RINewsToday on December 15, 2025

On April 30, 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy published an essay in The New York Times, announcing the impending release of U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory report titled “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation.” In this essay he talked about his own personal struggles with loneliness and called loneliness a public health crisis and advocated for strengthening social connections to combat it.

On May 3, 2023, Murthy released a 81-page report revealing that even before the COVID-19 pandemic, beginning late 2019, nearly half of U.S. adults were experiencing measurable levels of loneliness. This report detailed serious physical and mental health risks resulting from being lonely, with a mortality effect equivalent to smoking as many as 15 cigarettes daily. The Surgeon General also proposed a national strategy to address this issue.

Almost two years and seven months later, AARP releases a new report, “Disconnected: The Escalating Challenge of Loneliness Among Adults 45+.” The 57-page study found that 40% of U.S. adults aged 45 and older are now experiencing loneliness, up from 35% in both 2018 and 2010. Additionally, the report noted a shift in gender loneliness trends, too: men are now more likely to report being lonely than women (42% vs. 37%), reversing the 2018 trend where men (34%) and women (36%) reported nearly equal levels of loneliness.

Researchers also found that loneliness is most prevalent among adults in their 40s and 50s, with 46% of adults ages 45-59 reporting loneliness, compared to 35% of those aged 60 and older. This trend of loneliness decreasing with age has been consistent since AARP’s 2010 research study.

“In midlife, people often juggle careers, children, and caregiving responsibilities while their social circles shrink,” said Debra Whitman, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Public Policy Officer, in a Dec. 3 statement announcing the release of the report. “These pressures can increase stress and reduce opportunities to meaningfully connect with others,” she added.

Key Predictors of Loneliness

The report identifies several key predictors of loneliness, including smaller social networks, mental health challenges, and fewer friendships. Forty-five percent of lonely individuals reported having fewer friends than they did five years ago, compared to 29% of adults age 45 and older overall. Men are more likely than women to report having no close friends (17% vs. 13%).

Technology also played a significant role in enhancing social connections, with nearly 6 in 10 adults aged 45+ (57%) relying on technology to stay connected with family and friends. This group generally has more close friends and is more likely to volunteer or participate in community groups, the findings suggest. However, for some, technology can deepen isolation. Nearly 24% of lonely adults say technology has led to fewer close friendships. At the same time, 23% of lonely adults express interest in AI technologies for companionship, compared to 15% of adults 45+ overall.

“This research underscores the importance of staying connected with family, friends, and the broader community. Solid social networks aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential for combating loneliness and supporting overall well-being,” said Heather Nawrocki, Vice President of Fun & Fulfillment at AARP. “Nurturing relationships is just as critical to your health as eating well and exercising,” she added.

The report highlights that both lonely and non-lonely adults experience a sense of true belonging when they spend time with family, friends, and co-workers. This suggests an opportunity for individuals to strengthen existing relationships and form new connections.

Social connections can serve as a lifeline for both lonely and non-lonely individuals, the report notes. Simple acts such as reaching out to an old friend, starting a conversation with a stranger, checking in on a neighbor who has recently lost a loved one, or volunteering at your child’s or grandchild’s school can help address feelings of loneliness.

Rhode Island Insights on Loneliness

“This research mirrors what we hear every day from Rhode Islanders who call the Office of Healthy Aging,” says Maria Cimini, Director of the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging (RIOHA). Cimini explains that loneliness often surfaces quietly through stress, uncertainty, or a simple feeling of not knowing where to turn for help.

“The new AARP research reflects what RIOHA hears daily from older adults, caregivers, and families seeking help. Loneliness rarely presents itself as the first concern in a call,” Cimini says. “Instead, it often manifests as anxiety, caregiver stress, confusion, or simply a need to talk to someone who understands their situation.”

Cimini emphasizes that loneliness is not just an abstract condition but a complex social and health issue that intersects with caregiving, housing stability, transportation access, food security, disability, and mental health. “Calls to the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) often reveal people navigating major life transitions alone, such as the loss of a spouse, a new diagnosis, reduced mobility, or the isolation that comes with caregiving or retirement,” she says.

“Loneliness has a significant impact on health, and both loneliness and social isolation are increasingly recognized as major social determinants of health,” says Maureen Maigret, policy advisor for SACRI and a board member of The Village Common of Rhode Island (TVCRI). TVCRI helps older adults remain independent and connected to their communities. Maigret highlighted that feedback from TVCRI members shows how critical the social connections provided by volunteers are for maintaining health and well-being.

AARP’s findings align with research from the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association, according to Elaine Rodino, Ph.D., a former president of the APA’s Division of Psychologists in Independent Practice. Rodino, a licensed psychologist practicing in Los Angeles and State College, Pennsylvania, stressed that loneliness is a subjective experience. “Some people who spend most of their time alone don’t feel lonely, while others with regular social activity still report feeling lonely,” she explained.

“‘Alone in a crowd’ is an expression that captures the feeling of being surrounded by people yet still feeling isolated,” Rodino said, adding that this is true in online environments as well. “Some people engage with social media or chat groups, while others simply lurk, passively observing without interacting. These individuals often feel lonely, whereas those who actively engage are less likely to report the same experience.”

Rodino also pointed out that patients who identify as lonely may struggle to make social connections due to anxiety. “They may feel more comfortable staying home to avoid the discomfort of social engagement,” she said.

Deb Burton, Executive Director of RI Elder Info, offers a simple but important insight: “Too often, we confuse being alone with being lonely. Many people enjoy solitude, but loneliness is the painful feeling that our social connections aren’t fulfilling or adequate,” she said.

Burton explains that society has traded community for independence, and as a result, many people feel isolated. “Rebuilding community starts with simple acts of connection,” she says. “Volunteering is one of the most powerful ways to do this. When people give their time—whether through RI Elder Info or another local organization—they strengthen their own sense of belonging while supporting older adults and caregivers who rely on trusted information and human connection.”

Rhode Island Resources to Combat Loneliness

RI OHA’s approach focuses on connection, navigation, and community—not quick fixes, says Director Cimini, noting that this state office works to reduce isolation by helping people find services, relationships, and meaningful ways to stay engaged.

The state office supports older adults and adults with disabilities through a statewide network of programs that help counter loneliness and strengthen connection, including:

· Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC): A trusted entry point for information, counseling, and referrals.

· Senior Companion Program: Pairs trained volunteers with older adults who need regular companionship.

· Family Caregiver Support Program: Provides education, respite, counseling, and peer support for caregivers.

· Senior Centers and Community-Based Programs: Offering meals, wellness activities, and social engagement.

· Nutrition Programs: Congregate meal sites and home-delivered meals that offer nourishment and social contact.

· Volunteer and Civic Engagement Opportunities: Supporting older adults in staying connected through service and community contribution.

· SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program): Provides one-on-one counseling to reduce stress and confusion around Medicare.

The Samaritans of Rhode Island

The AARP study puts a spotlight on an issue that is evolving and becoming more complicated as technologies, the economy, health care options and living situations change, says Executive Director Denise Panichas at the Samaritans of Rhode Island in Pawtucket.

According to Panichas, The Samaritans of Rhode Island (a suicide prevention resource center), loneliness is at the heart of every call to the agency’s anonymous, befriending line. In its forty-eight year history, the agency has trained a legion of more than 1,800 alumni and current volunteers to listen beyond the words for the isolation presented by every caller.

Panichas, who has served as executive director for over 24-years, says that those who feel hopeless, alone and suicidal often carry the belief, whether true or not, that they and their problems and emotions are a burden to family and friends. “The fear of being a burden too often quiets their voices at the very moment they most need to be heard,” she says.

“It’s important for readers to know, The Samaritans is not 911 nor are we 988,” adds Panichas, explaining that the phone lines are staffed by volunteers. “Our mission is not only suicide prevention education but to foster connection to our listening line that, if the caller wants, can be used as long as we are needed but is also available for a lifetime of support. We actually have callers who call every day just to check in or to say good night,” she says.

Says Panichas, “Our callers recognized the sincerity of our volunteers, who by the very act of volunteering, convey a message to our callers that their lives matter and they are not alone. It’s always a good day, when callers report back that after having the courage to talk a Samaritan volunteer, they found the strength to reconnect with family, friends and professionals.”

Emergency? Call 911. Need to Talk? Call The Samaritans of Rhode Island at 401.272.4044 or 1.800.365.4044. Learn more at www.samaritansri.org

To see OHA programs that help counter loneliness and promote social connections, go to www.oha.ri.gov

National Family Caregivers Month: State-by-State Roadmap on Assisting Caregivers

Published in RINewsToday on November 3, 2025

Over three months ago, AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) released Caregiving in the US. 2025, warning of a major crisis facing America’s 63 million caregivers. The 133-page report, released on July 23, noted a 45% increase in the number of caregivers over the past decade and concluded that caregivers are at a “crisis point.”

The first Caregiving in the US report, released in 1997 by AARP and NAC, is widely regarded as one of the most authoritative data sources on family caregiving in America. Subsequent editions followed in 2004, 2009, 2015, 2020, and now 2025—each providing updated information on caregiver demographics and the evolving realities of caregiving in America.

A First-of-its-Kind State-by-State Data Analysis

Building on the national Caregiving in the US 2025 report, AARP and NAC recently unveiled a first-of-its-kind state-by-state caregiving data analysis. The 248-page report reveals how much local factors—down to your community or ZIP code—shape the caregiving experience, exposing deep financial and emotional challenges confronting millions of family caregivers.

Researchers found that state policy choices make a measurable difference: states offering stronger supports such as paid leave, respite care, and health system integration report far better outcomes for caregivers.

Rhode Island was among 19 states without sufficient sample sizes to support detailed analysis beyond prevalence and the estimated number of caregivers. For these states, only those metrics were included.

According to AARP and NAC, the report identifies a consistent pattern: states with the highest caregiving prevalence often have the fewest supports. Geography, policy, and community resources together determine whether families can manage care—or collapse under its weight.

The takeaway: where you live often determines whether you get relief or reach a breaking point.

With 63 million family caregivers nationwide—nearly one in four adults—the report underscores the urgent need for coordinated policy solutions at both the federal and state levels.

“Caregivers are the invisible backbone of our broken long-term care system and economy, and too many are paying the price out of their own pockets—risking financial security by taking on debt, using up savings, and leaving bills unpaid,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer, in an Oct. 28 statement announcing the report. “This new data offers the clearest picture yet of America’s caregivers and a roadmap for the change they urgently need.”

AARP is urging Congress and state legislatures to adopt commonsense policies that help caregivers save time and money—and get the support they need.

“These state-by-state disparities expose how policy choices determine whether families thrive or collapse under caregiving responsibilities,” said Jason Resendez, President and CEO of NAC. “When financial strain hits 59% of family caregivers in Georgia compared to just 34% in Minnesota—meaning where you live can double your risk of economic hardship—it’s clear that patchwork state solutions aren’t enough.”

Rhode Island Specifics

Ahead of National Family Caregivers Month, AARP Rhode Island released its state-level caregiving data. The findings show that 23%—approximately 206,000 Rhode Island adults—provide largely unpaid care to parents, older spouses, and other loved ones. The data underscores the urgent need for legislative action to better support these caregivers.

“When a loved one needs help, family members, friends, and neighbors step up—that’s what we do,” said Catherine Taylor, AARP Rhode Island State Director. “But too often, caregivers carry this responsibility alone, putting their finances, health, and jobs at risk. As our state ages, the demand for care will only grow. With this new data and ahead of the 2026 legislative session, AARP Rhode Island is urging policymakers at every level to act now.”

AARP Rhode Island estimates that family caregivers provide $2.1 billion in unpaid care each year, enabling loved ones to remain at home and in their communities—where they want to be. Caregivers routinely handle a wide range of tasks, from bathing and meal preparation to managing medications and medical procedures, often without formal training.

Key Rhode Island caregiving statistics:

· 99% assist with instrumental activities of daily living (meal prep, administering medicine, managing finances)

· 65% assist with personal care (bathing, dressing, feeding)

· 55% perform medical or nursing tasks

· 40% provide high-intensity caregiving (many hours and complex care)

· 19% deliver at least 40 hours of care per week

The personal toll is significant:

· 80% of caregivers use their own money to meet their loved ones’ needs—averaging $7,200 annually, or 25% of their income

· 44% report financial setbacks, including debt, depleted savings, or difficulty affording food and medicine

· 70% juggle full or part-time jobs, with many reducing hours or leaving the workforce—jeopardizing their long-term financial security

A Call to Action

A dysfunctional Congress and state legislatures must directly confront the skyrocketing number of caregivers in America.

AARP and NAC along with the Alzheimer’s Association are calling on policymakers to strengthen financial supports—starting with federal legislation such as the Credit for Caring Act, which would provide a tax credit of up to $5,000 for working caregivers, and the Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act, which would expand flexible spending and health savings account uses.

States can also act by ensuring Medicaid home- and community-based care options are accessible, allowing caregivers to earn compensation, integrating caregiver recognition and training into the health care system, and adopting best practices from top-performing states.

In Rhode Island, advocacy groups including AARP, the Senior Agenda Coalition of RI (SACRI), and the Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter have made significant progress. Rhode Island’s Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI) program—now offering eight weeks of paid leave at 75% wage replacement—helps family caregivers maintain income stability while providing care.

“In continuing our ongoing advocacy on behalf of caregivers, during the 2026 Rhode Island General Assembly session SACRI will prioritize legislation introduced last year — the creation of a state caregiver tax credit and advocate for the inclusion of respite services for adults under the Medicaid program,” notes Maureen Maigret, SACRI Policy Advisor.

Maigret points out that a 2021 AARP study found the average caregiver spends $7,242 out of pocket each year caring for a loved one. “It’s a huge financial burden for many caregivers, especially as the cost of living continues to rise and 40% of caregivers report household incomes of $50,000 or less,” she says, referencing the 2021 Rhode Island Behavioral Risk Factor Survey. “A recent state survey also found that short-term respite is one of the most commonly requested services that caregivers say would help support their needs.”

“Supporting caregivers is not just compassionate—it’s smart policy. In 2024, Rhode Island spent $614 million in Medicaid costs related to dementia. By strengthening caregiver supports—like respite services, dementia-specific training, and care navigation—we can help families keep loved ones at home safely for longer and avoid more costly levels of care,” says Donna McGowan, Executive Director, Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter.

“Thoughtful policy and targeted funding is not only the right thing to do—it’s a wise investment in the health and future of our state,” notes McGowan.

To get a copy of Caregiving in the US 2025 go to https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/ltss/family-caregiving/caregiving-in-the-us-2025/

To get a copy of Caregiving in the US 2025: Caring Across the States, go to https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/ltss/family-caregiving/caregiving-in-the-us-2025-caring-across-states/

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To access free caregiver tools and local resource guides, visit:

· AARP Rhode Island “Guide for Caring for Older Adults in Rhode Island helps family caregivers access key programs, services, and agencies right in their community.

· AARP’s online Caregiving Hub has tools and information available in English and Spanish.

· AARP and United Way Worldwide’ s 211 program connects Rhode Island family caregivers to essential local services for themselves and their loved ones via the 211 helpline.

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A Physician’s Guide to Living Life Fully, Not Just Longer, with Dr. Ed Iannuccilli

Published in RINewsToday on October 12, 2025

Over two weeks ago, over 300 advocates, providers, and older adults gathered at the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island’s (SACRI) 16th Annual Conference and Expo, “Navigating Choppy Waters – Shelter from the Storm,” held at Rhode on the Pawtuxets in Cranston.

The Sept. 25 event featured a thought-provoking keynote address by Dr. Ed Iannuccilli, state legislative updates, unveiling a new award to recognize two advocates, along with a panel discussion exploring critical topics facing older adults.

“This conference, by all measure, was a tremendous success,” said Carol Anne Costa, Executive Director of the Senior Agenda Coalition of RI, noting that the new venue, the topics, the engagement of the audience was reflected in the energy in the room.

“We are collecting survey responses an the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Costa noting that people are craving the opportunities to reconnect in person and in conversation. “If our vision for this conference helped to achieve that, it’s a win,” she said.

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Simple Tips on Aging Gracefully

Dr. Ed Iannuccilli, a highly respected retired board-certified internist and gastroenterologist and the author of six published books, delivered an impassioned 31-minute keynote shifting the tone from legislation and program updates. He offered common-sense advice on aging gracefully and called for changes in the state’s health care system to restore compassion and personal connection.

Looking back to the early days of his medical practice, Iannuccilli—who practiced medicine for over 30 years—recalled a conversation with a lively, healthy 80-year-old woman.

“In the innocence of my youth, I said admiringly, ‘At 80, you’re in marvelous condition. You don’t need to worry—age is just a number.’”

“She looked at me, twirled her ring, straightened her smock, squinted, pursed her lips, and said, ‘Young man, I have the number. Don’t you ever tell anyone that again,’” he said.

“And I never did,” he added. “It was an early lesson. As Oscar Wilde said, ‘With age comes wisdom, but sometimes wisdom comes with winters.’ Well, I have the winters now. I have the number. And I’m pleased to say that no one has dared call it just a number again,” said the Bristol resident.

As for reducing the stress of growing old, Iannuccilli shared: “I try to do happy things, avoid too much news, meet friends, and accept loss and mistakes with a spiritual shovel. No one’s judging anymore—history is history.”

He advised, “Don’t make living a long life your goal; living fully, is. If you’re at an age milestone—don’t panic. Laugh more. Call a friend. As Mark Twain said, ‘Don’t complain about growing old; it’s a privilege denied to many.’”

Iannuccilli said he stays curious, reads, writes, and keeps his mind active. “I even take piano lessons. I don’t need to go on a space mission; I’m already on a planet full of adventure,” he joked.

He also emphasized that longevity and good health are tied to human connection. “Be a helper. Call a friend. Drive someone to a doctor’s appointment. Volunteer at a pantry. Fred Rogers’ mother was right—‘Look for the helpers.’ Better yet—be one,” urged Iannuccilli.

Navigating a Broken Health Care System

“We use words like quality, efficiency, deliverables, and outcomes—but what people want is access and comfort,” Iannuccilli observed. But, fewer long-term physician-patient relationships, financial barriers at every turn, and isolation among older adults all reflect systemic changes in today’s healthcare system, says Iannuccili.

According to Iannuccili, costs for care, medication, nursing homes, and even vaccines are rising. Too many seniors live alone and disconnected.

“When someone is sick, they want to be comforted. They want someone who listens and helps them navigate an increasingly impersonal system,” he says.

Today it’s [often] a long phone queue, a chatbot, or a portal that needs a password and two-step verification,” he said. “You wait on hold and think, ‘This is my health I’m calling about, not my cable bill.’ We’ve lost the personal touch.”

“Be patient with emerging artificial intelligence,” Iannuccilli added. “With proper tuning, it can increase efficiency, help pair patients with the right provider, contain costs, and even promote equity. But nothing—nothing—will ever replace personal care.”

Patients are now called consumers, he said, a term he dislikes. “You’re not a consumer—you’re a patient. The word comes from the Latin patiens—one who suffers. It deserves respect.”

Recognizing Rhode Island’s Health Care Assets

Iannuccilli called for Rhode Islanders to stop focusing on negatives, like the bridge, and instead recognize their access to high-quality health care facilities.

“Within 20 miles you can reach some of the nation’s best hospitals—Rhode Island Hospital, Women & Infants, Hasbro Children’s, Butler, Bradley, Kent, South County, Newport, Miriam, Roger Williams, and Fatima,” he said.

According to Iannuccilli, the state’s health care system—from Brown University to URI—is “extraordinary,” featuring world-class nursing programs, physician assistant schools, and a top pharmacy school.

He believes Rhode Island can become a national model for universal access to health care.

“If we can assume our trash will be collected, our children educated, and our homes protected by firefighters, why can’t we assume access to health care for everyone?” he asked. “We have the talent. We have the infrastructure. What we need is the will.”

With a growing shortage of primary care physicians, Iannuccilli called for the creation of a medical school at the University of Rhode Island dedicated solely to training primary care physicians.

He concluded by issuing a call to action: “Let’s make Rhode Island the envy of the nation—a state where health care works for everyone, where education, research, and delivery come together. We can do better. We must do better. And guess what? We don’t have a choice.”

SACRI Recognition

At the conference, Costa recognized the advocacy of Ray Gagne Jr. for his advocacy work as Senior Organizer at RI Organizing Project and Sister Norma Fleming, RSM, for her direct work with adults with disabilities at ReFocus, Inc. by presenting them with the inaugural Marjorie Waters Award for Service. Honoring the legacy of Marjorie Waters—a Rhode Island College graduate, former Director of Information Technology for a Tribal Nation, Six Sigma Process Excellence Coach in the finance industry, and Executive Director of Providence’s Westminster Senior Center—the award celebrates her dedication as a lifelong community activist.

Legislative Greetings, and a Look to the Future

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) brought greetings from the House, emphasizing his strong commitment to supporting the state’s growing older population.

“As long as I’m Speaker of this House and I’m in Rhode Island government, you will have a friend in state government,” he pledged to the attending advocates and older adults.

The Warwick lawmaker shared how his 99-year-old father, who is battling Alzheimer’s and has mobility issues, has given him a personal understanding of older Rhode Islanders’ desire to remain at home—insight that has shaped his aging policy agenda.

Shekarchi highlighted several recent legislative successes, including the expansion of the Medicare Savings Program after 14 years of advocacy, which will save low-income beneficiaries over $2,000 annually. He also cited the state’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Law, which allows in-law apartments or “granny flats” (in the colloquial), to help residents age in place in their homes.

Senate President Rep. Lauren Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport), also detailed her legislative work on behalf of older Rhode Islanders. As Chair of the House Study Commission on Aging, she announced her intention to introduce legislation to make the commission permanent to help guide the state’s aging policy.

Another planned bill for next year would replace the term “senior citizen” with “older Rhode Islander” in state law to promote a more positive view of aging.

Maria Cimini, Director of the State’s Office of Healthy Aging, stressed that the guiding principle of her office’s work was to ensure older Rhode Islanders had the “choice to age as they wished” with dignity and independence.

She pointed out a significant demographic shift, noting that Rhode Island now had more people over 65 than under 18. “We are all aging. My goal is to be sure that Rhode Island is a great place to grow up and grow old,” she says.

A panel discussion followed the keynote, covering practical aspects of end-of-life planning, including legal documents such as wills and trusts, funeral pre-planning, financial planning for dependents with disabilities, suicide prevention, and the role of the long-term care ombudsman.

To watch SACRI’s Sept. 25^th program, go to https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/show/11543?site=1

Herb Weiss

Aging Issues

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National Family Caregivers Month: State-by-State Roadmap on Assisting Caregivers

A Physician’s Guide to Living Life Fully, Not Just Longer, with Dr. Ed Iannuccilli