Today, at the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, our Founder & Board Chair, Andrew MacPherson, delivered a powerful testimony on the urgent need to combat social isolation and loneliness among older adults.

🔹 The Reality:

• 1 in 4 Americans aged 65+ are socially isolated, and 43% of adults over 60 experience loneliness.
• Chronic loneliness increases the risk of dementia (50%), heart disease (29%), and stroke (32%) (NASEM).
• Medicare spends an additional $6.7 billion annually on socially isolated older adults (AARP).

🔹 Policy Solutions:

✅ Pass the SENIOR Act to ensure funding supports social connection programs.
✅ Expand access to senior services like nutrition programs, senior centers, and rural aging initiatives.
✅ Invest in intergenerational programs to foster meaningful connections across age groups.
✅ Bridge the digital divide by increasing broadband access for older adults.
✅ Enhance Medicare coverage for loneliness screenings, peer support, and non-medical transportation.

He also announced the launch of our Federal Policy Priorities for Social Connection—a framework of 130 strategic solutions to end the public health crisis of loneliness.

We believe connection—not isolation—should define the aging experience. Let’s work together to make this a reality.

Learn more about the testimony here.