Addressing Social Isolation in Long Term Care

Social isolation is a critical social determinant of health that can significantly impact an individual's physical and mental well-being. Social determinants of health are the social and economic conditions in which people live, work, and age, and they can have a profound influence on a person's overall health outcomes. Social isolation refers to a lack of meaningful social connections and engagement with others, which can manifest in various ways, such as limited social networks, minimal social support, or a lack of participation in social activities.

This is particularly relevant with the addition of social isolation to the MDS v1.18.11 that was implemented on October 1, 2023. Social isolation can be subtle in long term care residents, but its impact is significant on the nursing home population.

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