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New Report Identifies Social Isolation as a Public Health Concern and Outlines Four Priorities for Strengthening Connections Among Older Adults
The Montgomery County Commission on Aging has released its 2026 Public Forum Summary Report, Social Connections for Older Adults: A Key to Aging Well, highlighting the important role that social connections play in the health, independence, and quality of life of older adults.
The report summarizes the Commission’s May 28 annual public forum, which brought together nationally recognized experts, County leaders, health care professionals, nonprofit organizations, community partners, and residents to examine the connection between social isolation and healthy aging.
“Being connected to other people is an important part of staying healthy and independent as we get older,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Montgomery County has many organizations and programs that help older residents stay connected, but we know there are still barriers that can make it difficult for some people to participate. Transportation, language, lack of information, and simply not knowing where to find help can all contribute to isolation. We need to keep working together to remove those barriers and make sure older residents have opportunities to stay active, connected, and engaged in their communities.”
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The report identifies four priorities for strengthening social connections among older adults in Montgomery County:
- Expand community-based programs like Villages that provide opportunities for social connection and participation.
- Improve access to resources by addressing barriers such as transportation, language, and fragmented information.
- Strengthen partnerships among County agencies, health care providers, nonprofit organizations, faith communities, volunteers, and other community partners.
- Elevate social connection in County planning and policy, including through Age-Friendly Montgomery initiatives.
Social isolation is more than a social concern. Research presented at the forum shows that social isolation is associated with increased risks of heart disease, stroke, dementia, depression, hospitalization, disability, and premature death. Strong social connections can support physical and mental health, independence, and overall quality of life.
Montgomery County’s older adult population continues to grow. More than one in four County households is headed by someone age 65 or older, and approximately one-third of older adults experience social isolation.
The forum featured keynote presentations by Dr. Thomas K.M. Cudjoe of Johns Hopkins University and Dr. Lona Choi-Allum of AARP Research, who shared national research on aging, loneliness, and community well-being. Participants included representatives from County agencies, nonprofit organizations, health care providers, community organizations, and the broader community.
The Commission on Aging encourages residents, caregivers, community organizations, health care providers, policymakers, and other community partners to read the report and learn more about ways to strengthen social connections and reduce social isolation among older adults.
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Read the Commission on Aging’s 2026 Public Forum Summary Report (PDF).
The Commission on Aging was established by Montgomery County in 1974 pursuant to the federal Older Americans Act of 1965. The Commission serves as an advocate for the health, safety, and well-being of approximately 240,000 Montgomery County residents aged 60 and older.
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Read the original article at mcgov
