Social Connection

Educate older adults, people with disabilities, care partners, and providers on the benefits of social engagement and increase their awareness of and access to social connection opportunities (in person and virtual), particularly in underserved communities. 

• Conduct an environmental scan of available community programs that foster social connection opportunities to identify gaps in services, with particular attention to inequities in services for underserved populations and geographic zones. (Short-term)

• Increase awareness and access to community programs at the municipal and nonprofit level that offer social connection opportunities such as community college classes, wellness classes, or engagement with the arts. (Short-term)

• Explore integrating social connection screening and prescriptions for social connection during Medicare and Medicaid wellness visits (e.g., a social referral to connect aging adults and people with disabilities to community engagement opportunities and social programs such as art or wellness classes tailored to each Illinois region.) (Short-term) 

• Engage Illinois teaching artists to lead ongoing arts learning opportunities in a variety of settings (e.g., senior centers, libraries, community centers, churches) for older adults and help create opportunities for older adults to teach the arts to others of all ages. (Short-term)

• Identify and help replicate and scale initiatives that foster intergenerational relationships, connecting younger adults with older adults to combat ageism and promote social engagement. (Mid-term)

• Work across state and local agencies, nonprofits, faith-based organizations and libraries to help people remain connected with their communities, continue learning, and maximize volunteer opportunities for older persons. (Mid-term)

Close the digital divide, expand access to broadband for older adults and people with disabilities, and increase digital literacy.

• Conduct a statewide environmental scan and develop an inventory of resources on digital literacy and broadband access at the state/county levels, including public/private resources available to older adults and people with disabilities, and advance Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) broadband initiatives to expand access for all older adults. (Short-term) 

• Expand education materials focused on older persons identifying and protecting themselves from digital fraud and scams. (Mid-term)

• Collaborate with libraries and educational partners to deliver accessible digital literacy training to older adults and people with disabilities, including those who are incarcerated, taking into account technical support and training needs. (Mid-term) 

• Explore piloting statewide intergenerational and peer digital literacy opportunities for older adults. (Mid-term)