During the COVID-19 pandemic, with stay-at-home orders and social distancing mandates, isolation has become synonymous with safety. Yet social isolation can be twice as harmful to physical and mental health as obesity, according to researchers from Brigham Young University (Perspectives on Psychological Science, Vol. 10, No. 2, 2015). The same study showed lack of social connection heightens health risks as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day or having alcohol use disorder. This social isolation can be especially detrimental for older adults (65+), leading to higher rates of dementia and mortality.
Through a grant provided by New Castle County (NCC) CARES Act funding, professional staff members at the Institute for Public Administration have partnered with the Delaware Aging Network (DAN) and Delaware’s senior centers to create an online central resource to connect older adults with essential services designed to maintain their health, wellness, and independence during the pandemic. These services include nutrition programs, transportation to senior centers and doctor’s appointments, health and wellness checks, and virtual physical fitness and social interaction programs.
IPA Policy Scientists Julia O'Hanlon and Marcia Scott worked with IPA‘s GIS Specialist Nicole Minni and Public Administration Fellow Christine Moore to accomplish three key phases of research and development in order to improve health equity for older adults in the county:
First, the project team surveyed county-area senior centers and other DAN affiliates on the primary challenges in serving older community members during COVID-19. A review of preliminary results indicated comparisons to national challenges (as indicated through a May 2020 National Council on Aging survey).
Second, the team curated resources from across the county and integrated them into an Esri hub site coined “New Castle County CARES 4 Seniors.” Through this robust GIS tool, the project team combined multiple interactive maps with additional resources to help older adults and service providers better identify and coordinate essential services throughout the county. With tabs focused on Food Security, Health and Wellness, Social Activities, Transportation Services, and Senior Services, the “New Castle County CARES 4 Seniors” site is a one-stop-shop for providing older adults in New Castle County with the information they need to stay connected and stay healthy. This information, combined with updated Census data on the location of older adults living in deep poverty, also helps identify service and program gaps among the county's most vulnerable older adults. Third, a map-based survey (using Survey123 and ArcGIS technology) will ask county community-based originations to identify current in-person and virtual services being offered. Answers to the survey will be automatically connected to a location on the county map.
This COVID-response assistance continues and expands efforts to address health disparities among older adults in New Castle County. This work directly supports the in-person and virtual social services of NCC nonprofits and social service providers affiliated with DAN agencies and other organizations. This includes the county's senior centers, which provide critical, community-based services.
IPA staff met with New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer and his leadership team on Thursday, January 7, to brief the officials on IPA’s Recover Delaware-related work, including this CARES Act health equity award received from the NCC this fall.
