Solutionary Project Outline

I. Topic: EQ: How can our community support the older generation?

A. 1st Point: Caring for the elderly prevents social isolation and reduces health risks.

1. “Interventions to Reduce Social Isolation and Loneliness among Older People: An

Integrative Review”, Clare Gardiner - EBSCO Article

a. The authors of the article explain how “loneliness and social isolation are major

health problems for older adults.” It is not good for people’s health to be lonely.

b. “A growing range of interventions have been developed to tackle social isolation

and loneliness”, as shown throughout the article. A number of systematic

reviews of quantitative outcome studies have been conducted over recent years,

in an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions.

c. In the EBSCO Article, “a range of interventions were described which relied on

differing mechanism for reducing social isolation and loneliness.” National and

international health, social care policies, and campaigns are increasingly

recognizing the importance of targeting social isolation and loneliness among the

elderly.

d. The article explains that “common features of successful interventions included

adaptability, a community development approach and productive engagement.”

The authors of this article were trying to figure out which of these categories was

the most effective in alleviating loneliness in the elderly.

2. “Social isolation, loneliness in older people pose health risks”, no author – Website

a. 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.” The article states why elderly people are more prone to social

isolation and loneliness.

 b. “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. 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.

c. 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.”

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.

3. “Documentary about Caring and Loneliness for the Elderly”, Clare Ryan – Documentary

a. Anne Dempsey from Third Age Ireland states that “there are a lot of little things I

think we can do which can make a difference to somebody that is on their own.”

She explained how all individuals can help people who are lonely.

b. Dempsey says “perhaps giving them a phone call, like knocking on the door

telling them you’re going shopping do they want anything” can help with

loneliness. Every little bit helps when trying to help the elderly.

c. According to the documentary, “we can all make a difference by simply visiting

someone we know who is isolated or alone.” Something that could help the

elderly deal with loneliness is just by being available and reachable.

d. Margaret Downey shows how “the elder generation have great stories to share.”

The elderly has had long and interesting lives that they want to share with us.

B. 2nd Point: Taking care of the elderly allows us to learn from their experiences.

1. “Everyone has a Story: John Minard”, Steve Uyehara – Newspaper article

 a. “We have people from the age of three. If you give them a paintbrush they can

do it” said John Minard. Anyone can help the elderly even young kids and older

adults.

b. Steve Uyehara of Hawaii News Now stated that “what they do is provide

manpower for elderly in the Nanakuli area. They take on any project.” All the

volunteers were able to work together to get a project finished.

c. “They painted one woman's entire home, for another they redid the porch and

even at another home, did yard work” said Steve Uyehara. The volunteers are

willing to put in a lot of work to help out the people in their community.

d. Steve Uyehara explained that “John himself is used to a life of service, he’s a

Vietnam veteran.” This article shows how the volunteers were able to spend time

with the person they were helping. They learned more about John Minard and

his life story which is something they would not have known if they didn’t spend

time with him.

2. No title, Heidi Pliszka - Personal Interview

a. The chief operating officer for the Arcadia said that “the older generation has a

lot of history, has a lot of life lessons that they can provide.” Allowing the elderly

to talk and share their experiences with us will help battle that feeling of isolation

and loneliness.

b. In the personal interview with Heidi Pliszka she states, “they have experienced

things that maybe in your generation right now you would never have

experienced.” Allowing them to share these experiences with us will strengthen

our minds and deepen our understanding of certain things in life.

 c. “They bring a different level of experience and I think richness to the younger

generation” explains Heidi. A lot of them live a lot of interesting lives and have

so much information that they want to share with others.

d. Ms. Pliszka states that “the younger generation has things that they can teach the

older generation whether it be technology, or what is going on in the world.”

Having a simple conversation with each other can be beneficial for both people.

C. 3rd Point: Helping the older generation gives them a sense of purpose

1. “Loneliness in Elders, How Does It Feel?”, uploaded by EskatonSeniors – Video

a. Eskaton of Sacramento, California states that, “of the older adults living outside

nursing homes or hospitals, nearly one third (11.3 million) live alone.” It can be

really hard to live alone especially when you are older and/or feeble.

b. Mary, a Eskaton Telephone Reassurance program participant explains that as

“you get older and you feel somehow that maybe you don’t have the value you

used to. Your children are growing and your grandchildren are older” After

adults retire, they don’t have much socialization with the community and start to

get depressed or lonely.

c. “Loneliness and isolation are leading causes of both mental and physical decline

in older adults”, states EskatonSeniors. There have been many studies that prove

loneliness and isolation cause various health risks so we have to do something to

combat loneliness in our elders.

d. According to Eskaton, “for those receiving calls, it makes all the difference in the

world, and for those making calls, it is a heartfelt and rewarding experience.” If a

small phone call can help boost someone’s spirit, then helping someone at their

home and just being there can really help the older generation in the community.

The elderly in our community need to know that someone cares.

2. “How The Lonely Elderly Can Teach You Lessons For Life”, Edward Molkenoer – Ted-

Talk

a. Edward Molkenboer’s explains that conversations with the elderly are good “not

only because it is a nice gesture, because it is, but you will be amazed what you

can learn from them.” Edward encourages us to spend a little time and to laugh

and learn from the older generation. Having a conversation with an elderly

person is important because it allows us to learn so many new things and it is also

a nice gesture.

b. Mrs. Van Huis explains in the Ted-Talk that “being alone is not much fun. You

need someone who actually talks to you, and who answers all your questions.”

Most elderly people love it when they get company or when they get a chance to

talk to someone.

c. “Sometimes there were days when I wouldn’t see anyone…no one…so you just

sit there” explains Mrs. Huis. Having company can really boost somebody’s

mood. Going to an elderly person’s home to talk to them and help them do

chores can really brighten their life and make them feel less lonely.

d. In the Ted-Talk, Mrs. Huis says that “loneliness is best solved by…yes, making

contact. And advice…by giving good advice. And receiving it.” To prevent and

combat loneliness we should be conversing and learning with other people.

3. “Crucial aspects promoting meaning and purpose in life: perceptions of nursing home

residents”, Jorunn Drageset – Scholarly Article

a. According to the PMC article, “more deeply understanding how older long-term

care residents perceive meaning and purpose in life is critical for improving the

quality of care and the resident’s quality of life.” Meaning and purpose in life are
 central to human beings and understanding this is critical for improving elderly

care and their quality of life.

b. The article states that “four key experience were found to promote meaning and

purpose in life: 1) physical and mental well-being, 2) belonging and recognition,

3) personally treasured activities and 4) spiritual closeness and connectedness.”

These four key experiences can help us when trying to find the best ways to

invoke meaning and purpose in someone’s life.

c. “Meaning and purpose in life are fundamental to human beings”, according to the

study done by Jorunn Drageset, Gorill Haugan, and Oscar Tranvag. Elderly

people may be exposed to stressful events such as a loss of a home or losing a

spouse, relatives and friends. These conditions may influence their well-being

and quality of life so it is crucial that they find a meaning and purpose for overall

satisfaction.

D. Solution: The Kupuna Project

1. Project Plan

a. I found a way to care for the elderly in my community and develop meaningful

relationship with them. The Kupuna Project offers service to any elderly at St.

Rita’s Church that are in need of assistance. Parishioners can fill out a service

request form and submit it to me so that I may work with the church to find

volunteers and set a date for the service project. Any tools or money needed for

a project will be from donations or fundraisers.

2. Progress

a. I have been able to explain to the church my plans for this project and hand out

some service request forms. I also placed a stack of request form at the back of

the church with the bulletin announcements so that anyone can pick one up and
 submit their request. I posted project information and forms on my website in

case people are not able to pick one up at the church.

b. I have gotten a lot of positive feedback and many people have been coming up to

me to ask to become a volunteer. The church is very excited about the project

and I have received a lot of support so far. Once we get a service project

scheduled, there will be no problem with trying to find volunteers to help

3. Project Challenge

a. Due to COVID-19, it is unsafe to have a large gathering of people so, we cannot

do any service projects for the elderly until the pandemic passes. The church is

closed so we can’t even collect service requests or plan for future projects.

However, as soon as the church reopens and it is safe to be around elderly people

then we will restart the project from where we left off. I plan to continue the

project even after the semester ends and grades are submitted.