Research Log #1 - Solutionary Project 2020 

Date: Feb. 7, 2020
Name: Celina Taramasco
Essential Question: How can our community support the older generation?
 
Three Points to Prove: #1:  Caring for the elderly prevents social isolation and reduces health risks.
                                        #2: Taking care of the elderly allows us to learn from their experiences.
                                        #3:  Helping the older generation gives them a sense of purpose.
 
Point that this Source Proves: #1: Caring for the elderly prevents social isolation and reduces health risks.

Excerpts (These should provide insight into the Point to Prove): 

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) states that “many of us are alone more often than when we were
younger, leaving us vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness.”
 
“Research has linked social isolation and loneliness to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental
conditions”, explains the NIA in their research article on social isolation, loneliness in older people.

According to the NIA, “people who engage in meaningful, productive activities with others tend to live
longer, boost their mood, and have a sense of purpose.”
 
Analysis (How does this source support the Point to Prove?): 
 
This website explains the difference between loneliness and social isolation in older people and
the causes and effects of it. The article states why elderly people are more prone to social isolation and
loneliness. Humans are social creatures and when we are separated or don’t have enough interactions
with people we can develop a lot of mental and physical problems. As humans age, we become more
susceptible to loneliness, social isolation, and various health problems.
The NIA shows that about 28 percent of older adults in the US live alone, which is about 13.8
million people. Through their research they have found that social isolation and loneliness is connected
to higher risks for high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety,
depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and even death. They explain that anyone that is left
alone due to the death of a loved one, separation from friends or family, retirement, loss of mobility, and
lack of transportation are at a particular risk.
Many of the elderly is our community are at risk because they live alone in a big house and have
trouble doing household chores that younger people might find simple. The article proves this point by
explaining that people who have more interactions and connections and participate in productive activities
tend to live longer and have a sense of purpose. It is important that we interact with the older generation
more often to prevent social isolation and health risks.
 
Work Cited (correct MLA format): 

National Institute on Aging. (2020). Social isolation, loneliness in older people pose health risks. [online]
 Available at: https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/social-isolation-loneliness-older-people-pose-health-
risks [Accessed 5 Feb. 2020].
 
This is a reputable and reliable article because it was published by the US Department of Health &
Human Services and their mission is to enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans.

Celina Taramasco
Mrs. Nourrie
English 11E
7 February 2020
Journal 1:
My project is the Kupuna Project where my partner, Kaitlyn Miyashiro and I are helping

the elderly with any house projects that they cannot complete on their own. For the Research

Logs we have separated our research where I am researching on the benefits of taking care of the

elderly and my partner is researching on the incapability and physical ailments of older people.

Our essential question for this project is, how can our community support the older generation.

Right now, my partner and I are mostly focusing on the research part of the project. So far, we

have learned a lot of new things about the physical and mental effects of living alone. This

makes us more invested in the project and want to do as much as we can to help the older

generation.

Aside from research, we are also starting to plan out the timeline for the project and

trying to get it known in the church we are volunteering at. In order to get our project started, we

need to make it know to the church what the project is and our plan for it. So, we are trying to get

in touch with one of the Church’s staff members that oversees writing out all the church

announcements in the bulletin and during Mass. Once we get her email, we will send a message

with a proposal of the project and ask if we can make an announcement during the Mass

announcements.
 We are expecting that this project is going to take a lot of time and work and it will be

hard with sports and school. However, we are very excited for the project and want to do this.

Another thing that might be difficult is that my partner lives far away from the church so it will

be challenging for her to get to the other side of the island for a project. My partner and I have

high hopes for this project and really want it work out. Another thing that we are planning to do

is set up a system that will allow the Kupuna Project to continue even after Kaitlyn and I move

away for college and are not able to be in charge of the project anymore.