The Social Isolation Tsunami
Just as the Coronavirus fallout threatens to cause an economic recession, it’s also going to cause what we might call a “social recession”: a collapse in social contact that is particularly hard on the populations most vulnerable to isolation and loneliness.
Loneliness and social isolation are on the rise, leading many to call it an epidemic. The number of people with zero confidants has tripled, and most adults do not belong to a local community group. More than one-third of Americans over the age of 45 report feeling lonely, especially high among those over 65 years old. It’s time to promote social health—how well a person forms and maintains relationships, receives and reciprocates support and feels connected to others.
People who find themselves unexpectedly alone due to the death of a spouse or partner, separation from friends or family, retirement, loss of mobility, and lack of transportation are at particular risk. Conversely, people who engage in meaningful, productive activities with others tend to live longer, boost their mood, and have a sense of purpose. These activities help maintain well-being and improve cognitive function.
Loneliness, we know from the research, can be as bad for your health as smoking. It’s more predctive of mortality than obesity. And loneliness itself was a pandemic long before COVID-19 got its name. Between 1990 and 2010, there was a threefold increase in the number of Americans who said they had no one in whom they could confide.
Older adults are especially prone to experience social isolation. Social ties decrease with retirement and likelihood of living alone. This is Ms. Virginia Waters, 87, a sociable widow who recently became wheelchair bound. Ms. Waters explained that her friends—“Well, I call them friends”— deserted her because of her disability. She recalled a “friend” saying: “You are still in a wheelchair. I can’t take that wheelchair with us. I can’t lift it out of the car. It’s heavy.” Her weekend outings with them stopped.
Most conversations last about 15 minutes. Those who contacted the help line during your correspondent's visit addressed a general topic: weather, pets, what they did that morning. Their real reason for calling appeared only later, through a casual comment. It often referred to the need for a partner and the camaraderie he would bring.
Active Community Social for Vulnerable Seniors
We are a community-focused Digital Innovation Studio that uses affective computing, AI-assisted human moderators and cutting edge text-based social gaming to deliver friendly, meaningful and positive companionship to Seniors.
A Personalized
Digital Experience
Halcyon's advanced digital technology and game-design elements matches each individual into a conversation based on their behavioral profile and encourages friendly and meaningful engagement.
Members Connect through
Customized LIVE Plan Content
Our testing shows that Members are more likely to actively engage around familiar content which provides a foundation to develop quality interactions.
Technology Designed
for Seniors
Every step of Halcyon Life's User Experience is optimized for the specific needs of aging adults. We are the only digital product addressing loneliness and social isolation built for senior populations.
Game Elements Drive
Quality Engagements
Gamification powers Halcyon Life's UX from onboarding through community participation. Our goal is to encourage Members to build quality social relationships and benefit from social connections.
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Social Gaming for Good
Halcyon Life was founded in response to the double pandemic of COVID-19 and Social Isolation. We create positive digital communities for at this crucial inflection point for aging adults. Halcyon's powerful technology delivers participatory social infrastructure and customizable content discovery at scale, tailored to the special needs of the MA population.
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Medicare Advantage plan
As an evidence-based social enterprise, we are working with select Pilot partners as a digital health benefit for 2022 Medicare Advantage plans including in markets hit hard by COVID-19.
