ALACRITY Center’s New Study Aims to Address Social Isolation in Seniors During COVID-19

The ALACRITY Center is taking on a new project in response to COVID-19, “Stay Connected: developing an intervention to promote mental health among isolated senior housing residents”. Leading the project are Patrick Raue, PhD, Patricia Areán, PhD, and Brenna Renn, PhD.

We will work with senior housing residents experiencing social distancing challenges to design a remote program to address risk factors associated with depression, anxiety and social isolation. The project will also consider the needs of housing staff promoting the health and well‐being of their residents, and address the insufficient workforce of geriatric mental health providers by utilizing Bachelor’s-level providers.

The study was funded through the UW Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Small Grants Program.