Social isolation is associated with poor health and its impact is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. San Diego offers many opportunities for social engagement, but older adults indicated that they wanted more programs for people with dementia, people who do not speak English, those with limited access to and understanding of technology, and homebound individuals. They also wanted more intergenerational programs and opportunities for civic engagement and leadership.

Vision

Older adults have access to a range of social and community engagement opportunities that promote active living, reduce isolation, and provide enriching experiences with others across age groups and generations.

Join the Team

For more information or to join the Social Participation Team, please contact Lina Nasr at Lina.Nasr@sdcounty.ca.gov. 

Get Connected and Learn More

• Get Connected Guide: Feeling a sense of connection and belonging is important for all of us and can positively impact our health. The Age-Friendly Social Participation Team created the Get Connected Guide to provide resources and strategies to help you get connected, whether you feel lonely, want to build connections to prevent loneliness, or are trying to help someone you know become more socially connected. To request this resource in English, Spanish, Arabic, Tagalog, or Vietnamese, please email HealthierLiving.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov.                                                                                                                                                          
• Ways to Engage Handout: Staying socially engaged has multiple health benefits, and the Age-Friendly Social Participation Team is working to expand recreational and educational programming for older adults. The Age-Friendly Social Participation Team created the Ways to Engage Handout to share ideas for older adults in San Diego County to get involved and stay engaged, including a special version of the handout for individuals who are homebound. To request this resource, please email HealthierLiving.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov. 

• Loneliness and Social Connections, AARP® Foundation Report, 2018: AARP’s researchers surveyed of over 6,000 U.S. residents age 45 and older. The report reveals predictors of loneliness, including size of social network, where you live, and your use of technology.             

• How to serve on a County Advisory Board or Committee: San Diego County enlists over 100 citizen boards, committees, commissions and task forces to advise the Board of Supervisors and County staff on issues of policy, make decisions on behalf of the Board, and to serve as links to the community.
  
  
• Resident Leadership Academy: Resident Leadership Academies (RLAs) are multi-week training programs for San Diego County residents who want to learn how to improve their local communities. Training sessions focus on topics such as community leadership, crime prevention and safety, land use and active transportation, and healthy food systems.

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