ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors describe the implications of loneliness and social isolation to the wellbeing of minority older adults, especially during the time of Covid-19, and their program aimed at mitigating these challenges. Although loneliness is an important emotion to think about at any age, countless studies have shown the detrimental effects loneliness and social isolation can have on older adult’s physical and mental health, and even shorten their lifespan. The authors establish a team of callers that are making the telephone calls to our Healthier Black Elders Center (HBEC) members. The callers consist of university research assistants, students, staff, and older adult community advisory board members. They all received an orientation and training to conduct the telephone survey, collect and submit the data, and connect HBEC members to needed resources. Using a strengths-based perspective, the authors want to report the challenges and needs, but also the coping strategies and resiliency of older adults during Covid-19.
