Battling loneliness: The American geriatrics society's cocare: Hospital elder life program

Loneliness impacts older persons during hospitalization and may amplify during the social distancing required by the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) CoCare: Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) aids hospitalized older persons in assuaging feelings of loneliness through structured therapeutic activities and volunteer visits that reduce social isolation for hospitalized older adults. During COVID-19, adaptations of this approach are required. We aim to spread awareness of loneliness as a major public health concern for older adults and ensure that programs like AGS CoCare: HELP are preserved through the pandemic and beyond. © 2020 American Society on Aging;all rights reserved.