Resources on COVID-19

As the COVID-19 crisis continues to affect older adults around the country, engAGED remains committed to its mission of promoting tools and resources that help older adults stay connected to the community. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Area Agencies on Aging and other community-based organizations have quickly adapted many of their programs and services to help reduce the social isolation and loneliness that may occur as more older adults stay at home to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The following resources can provide organizations in the Aging Network with information that can help them better meet the needs of older adults in their community during these changing times. For more resources, review our COVID-19 webinar recordings for periodically updated information. Please also visit our Innovations Hub, which houses best and emerging social engagement programs, including some of the COVID-19 program adaptations highlighted below.

Innovations from the Field

engAGED compiled a list of COVID-19 innovations that AAAs and other community-based organizations have implemented to help promote safe connections during COVID-19. Read through examples from the field to learn how organizations have updated their programming and found new ways to offer much-needed resources and services to older adults.

COVID-19 WEBINARS

Many of the engAGED webinars have focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, including examples of how social engagement programs adapted to the pandemic and examples of new social engagement programs developed in response to the pandemic. Watch or listen to the webinar recordings through the link below.

fact sheet on staying active through volunteering

This fact sheet, produced by USAging, formerly known as the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), focuses on how volunteering benefits both communities and the volunteers themselves and how older adults can continue to volunteer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Videos on Enhancing the Social Engagement of Older Adults During COVID-19

engAGED has developed a series of videos showcasing how Aging Network organizations adapted their programs in response to COVID-19 to address the increased social isolation of older adults. All four videos can be used by your organization to promote the benefits of social engagement in your community.

engAGING Practices: Best Practices for Helping Older Adults Stay Socially Engaged

This engAGED report highlights 11 best practice programs implemented by Aging Network organizations that can be used by others to enhance social engagement among older adults in their communities. The descriptions contain details on how each program has or will be adapted to continue to safely socially engage older adults throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

Blog Post Templates to engAGE Older Adults and Caregivers During COVID-19

engAGED has developed a six-part series of sample blog posts intended to help organizations working with older adults to encourage them to stay active and engaged in their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The blog posts highlight actions older adults and their caregivers can take to stay connected—to the wider world in mind, body and spirit.

Flyer Highlights Ways Older Adults Can Stay Connected to the Community During COVID-19

A new flyer produced by engAGED and the Eldercare Locator highlights actions older adults can take during the COVID-19 crisis to foster and enhance connections to their communities—with and without technology. To help older adults who may not have access to or familiarity with technology.

Create Connections Without Technology

For older adults who do not have access to the internet and smart phones, creating social connections takes a more traditional approach and includes a variety of activities, visit the webpage below for some examples.

Ways to Create Connections Using Technology

From FaceTime to Zoom, older adults can use technology to overcome social isolation. In the following webpage, we’ve listed just a few of the ways older adults can use technology to create and maintain social connections.