The following is a guest article by Cindy Jordan, CEO at Pyx Health
The idea of loneliness as something that impacts health isn’t novel. For years, medical professionals have written and spoken about its impact. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) links it to serious health conditions. However, common misconceptions around loneliness persist: that it is “fixable” by being near others, that it is simply a “feeling” someone is experiencing, that it only impacts the elderly or that technology always makes loneliness worse.
Those positions don’t do justice to the devastation that loneliness causes. It’s a medical condition that leads to overutilization of the health care system and potential consequences for human life. It is also not limited to any single age group or demographic. Miscalculations about the impact and reach of loneliness have led to a lack of effective, evidence-based treatments.
The science behind loneliness includes numerous studies and hard data. However, health care organizations must wade through many misconceptions to get to the root of loneliness and understand how technology and human connection play a vital role in addressing it.
Social isolation and loneliness aren’t the same
We all know more about social isolation after the pandemic. The impact of isolation can be devastating on mental and physical health. But although isolation is a societal problem, it’s not synonymous with chronic loneliness. Simply having others in proximity to a lonely person cannot resolve the complex problem of loneliness.
People who experience loneliness are disengaged from their health care teams and often battle needs related to social determinants of health (SDOH). For example, they may live with food and shelter insecurity. With these challenges, they may feel they cannot relate to others and have difficulty getting care.
Even if people with chronic loneliness have resources and people around them, they are unable to receive care or forge and maintain strong relationships. They feel like they are the only ones who understand their plight. As a result, they don’t reach out for help, affecting their health in various ways and often delaying care. When someone who is lonely faces a health issue, they typically end up utilizing the costliest but most easily accessible way to receive care: the emergency department.
Seniors aren’t the only lonely demographic
Much of the loneliness discussion, funding and solutions focus on seniors. Although this population is at high risk of loneliness, we must understand it is not solely a senior problem. Instead, our data tells us that people ages 45-54, who are many times caregivers for their aging parents or parents themselves, have the highest rates of loneliness. Young adults (18-24) rank next on the list.
For this reason, it’s imperative to realize loneliness does not solely impact seniors. People suffering from loneliness must have access to a whole-person solution, regardless of their demographics.
Technology and human connection, together, are critical to addressing loneliness
The right type of technology can enable treatment programs to scale, support initial engagement and act as a screener for loneliness and SDOH, which are often linked. In many cases, technology works as a tool to break down the barriers that loneliness builds. However, it can’t fix the problem alone.
Tech and compassionate humans need to work interdependently to drive engagement and address the root causes of loneliness. With both elements in place, programs can better personalize their recommendations, positively impact outcomes and reduce costs.
Use technology to engage the least engaged
As noted, lonely people have high rates of disengagement. So what can technology do to change this?
Any technology used to treat loneliness needs to be friendly, empathetic and personal. First and foremost, the technology should build a trusted connection with the end user. This framework means users are treated like humans. A chatbot, for example, shouldn’t treat a user like a disease state or health condition. Instead, it needs to be interested in knowing how the user feels, just like a friend would. Based on the individual’s response, the chatbot can provide compassionate feedback, offer self-management tips or provide available resources in the community.
The biology of loneliness is also a factor in disengagement and worsening feelings. Lonely people tend to misread facial expressions, develop distorted realities and show signs of disinterest. These biological markers make it impossible for the acutely lonely to engage in relationships, their lives or with their own care. Those with behavioral health issues often experience stigma when receiving or discussing treatment. Talking to an affable chatbot is less intimidating because there’s no judgment.
Consider this example: Majority of people wouldn’t call a health line to tell them they are sad, lonely or need to talk. They would be less hesitant to say this to a chatbot, therefore opening an opportunity for engagement and intervention that might not otherwise have been available. This empathetically programmed technology can then guide them to online resources and act as a bridge to connect them to human support for personalized companionship, interventions and referrals. Technology also plays a crucial role in scaling these interventions in ways that human outreach simply cannot.
With access to evidence-based interventions rooted in technology, people can break cycles of disengagement and acquire the skills needed to re-engage. Individuals can talk to and get support from technology outside of traditional health care environments. The technology provides a central location for members to find information and connections to address their physical health, mental health, and social needs. It also builds a bridge that lonely individuals can use to make human connections with mental health professionals and friends who are crucial in their fight against loneliness.
Ensure collaboration between technology, health care, and social services
Strategies to address loneliness should marry technology, health care and social services. Thoughtful technology becomes a gateway for more interactions. Plus, plans get valuable data from both technology and humans, guiding solution personalization and innovation.
By addressing loneliness, health plans see many benefits, including positive health outcomes, significant savings to the health care system and improved satisfaction — the lauded “triple aim” in health care. Most importantly, people struggling with loneliness can make meaningful connections and reduce loneliness as an impediment to their health goals.
About Cindy Jordan
Cindy Jordan’s eclectic professional experience has aligned her work life with her deep care for the well-being of others. This culminated in the launch of Pyx Health in 2018 — the first loneliness solution solely focused on helping the most vulnerable.
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