A Heart To Heart About Loneliness & Social Isolation

Upcoming webinar will shed light on the effects and propose strategies for change

Capitol Heights, MD, February 21, 2022: On Wednesday, February 17th, Juanita C. Grant Foundation, Inc. (JCGF) President & CEO, S. Orlene Grant, participated in a webinar titled, “HEART to HEART: A meaningful discussion on the profound impact of loneliness and social isolation.” As a panelist, Ms. Grant shared knowledge gained from years of service to older adults, as well as the foundation’s Village Connector Experience - a structured outreach call program for older adults that engages, nurtures, and enables social connections. This event was hosted by the New York-based Elder Law firm Ronald Fatoullah & Associates and featured panelists from a variety of backgrounds who are committed to empowering and inspiring older adults to help feel connected.

"Social isolation and loneliness have reached epidemic levels,” said Juanita C. Grant Foundation President and CEO, S. Orlene Grant, noting that some people may be socially isolated without feeling lonely, while others can experience the sense of loneliness in a social setting. She continued, "It's important to recognize how we can connect with each other every day. Asking, "How are you doing as well?" at the grocery checkout can make all the difference. For older adults, the quality of social connections is crucial to health and wellbeing.”

Ronald Fatoullah, Esq., CELA, founding partner of Ronald Fatoullah & Associates has many years of experience providing care and counsel to older adults. He provided his unique insight on scams, protection strategies, and advice on estate planning. Other panel members included Bill Solz, CLSW, CASAC, a licensed clinical social worker and director of Stress Solutions of New York, who shared his “havening” technique which reduces the stress of traumatic memories. Carol Waldman, MSW, gerontologist, and former Executive Director of the Glen Cove Senior Center, shared lessons gleaned from years of collaboration with fellow aging advocates. Hope Reiner, GCM, a Geriatric Care Management professional with a focus on friendship and creating opportunities for older adults to connect was also a panelist and shared some of the knowledge she contributed to the published academic work, “Social Isolation of Older Adults”. Together, these experts illuminated the fundamental intersections of social connectedness and older adult wellbeing.

About the Juanita C. Grant Foundation 

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation (JCGF) provides education and training, advocacy and research addressing economic insecurity, social connectedness, workforce development and quality of life challenges for older adults. To learn more about our initiatives and join us on this journey, please visit our website at www.jcgfdn.org

Media Contact

Karachi Opara 

kara.opara@gmail.com