Social Needs Benefits
Publication Year
Study Type
Content Type
Peer Reviewed
Population
Outcome Type
Chronic Condition Choose up to 3
Social Needs Benefits
Access to community or plan-sponsored programs and events to address enrollee social needs, such as non-fitness club memberships, community or social clubs, park passes, and access to companion care, marital counseling, family counseling, classes for enrollees with primary caregiving responsibilities for a child, or programs or events to address enrollee isolation and improve emotional and/or cognitive function, are non-primarily health related benefits that may be covered as SSBCI.
Linking Intervention and Impact
2022|
BMJ Open|
Siren|
35121608|
10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057729
This review identifies and characterizes loneliness and social isolation interventions, and detect factors influencing implementation of said interventions in primary care.
Outcome type: Neutral
There is an apparent lack of consistency in strategies to identify lonely and socially isolated older adults.
Systematic Review
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2017|
J Am Med Dir Assoc|
PubMed|
28668664|
10.1016/j.jamda.2017.05.019
The authors test the social, behavioral, and physiological effects of a companion robot among people with dementia in a day care and home setting.
Outcome type: Favorable
Observations showed that Paro significantly improved facial expressions (affect) and communication with staff (social interaction) at the day care centers. Sub analyses showed that care recipients with less cognitive impairment responded significantly better to Paro. There were no significant differences in care recipient dementia symptoms, nor physiological measures between the intervention and control group.
Randomized Controlled Trial
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Dementia
Linking Intervention and Impact
2021|
Clin Interv Aging|
PubMed|
34079242|
10.2147/CIA.S282709
This review examines studies on the effectiveness of interventions using social robots or computer agents to reduce loneliness in older adults.
Outcome type: Neutral
The majority of results showed that robots or computer agents positively impacted at least one loneliness outcome measure. Some unintended negative consequences on social outcomes were reported, such as sadness when the robot was removed. Overall, the interventions helped to combat loneliness by acting as a direct companion (69%), a catalyst for social interaction (41%), facilitating remote communication with others (10%) and reminding users of upcoming social engagements (3%).
Other
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2020|
Int Psychogeriatr|
PubMed|
32284080|
10.1017/S1041610220000459
The authors evaluate the effect of a social robot intervention on mental health outcomes and quality of life among older adults in long-term care.
Outcome type: Favorable
Significant changes in decreasing depression and loneliness and improving quality of life over time were identified. Three themes emerged from the interviews: (i) humanizing Paro through referring to personal experiences and engagement; (ii) increased social interaction with other people; and (iii) companionship resulting in improved mental well-being.
Other
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Gap and Impact
2019|
BMJ Open|
PubMed|
31005905|
10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023036
Outcome type: Favorable
The level of positive and negative social support showed a negative and positive association with depressive symptom score, a negative association between level of positive social support and depressive symptom score was more pronounced as income was lower and level of negative social support was higher
Other
Peer Reviewed
Linking Intervention and Impact
2018|
BMC Psychiatry|
PubMed|
29879925|
10.1186/s12888-018-1728-5
This study examines associations between social interventions and personal and social recovery outcomes among adults.
Outcome type: Favorable
The results of the study suggest that social inclusion interventions may be effective in people suffering from non-affective psychosis. A dose-effect relationship was also found between higher number of activities per patient and better outcomes within both social and psychopathological domains.
Other
Peer Reviewed
Age ≤ 65
Linking Gap and Impact
2018|
J Diabetes Investig|
PubMed|
32586693|
10.1111/jdi.12820
Outcome type: Favorable
Respondents who participated in social activities, had the companionship of friends, lived with someone and were employed were significantly less vulnerable to diabetes than were those who did not.
Other
Peer Reviewed
Age ≤ 65
Diabetes
Linking Intervention and Impact
2021|
Am J Geriatr Psychiatry|
PubMed|
26156119|
10.1016/j.jagp.2020.05.021
The authors test the effect of peer companionship intervention on mental health outcomes among adults.
Outcome type: Neutral
There was no difference between groups in change in suicidal ideation or belonging; intervention had greater reduction in depression and perceived burden on others
Randomized Controlled Trial
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Age ≤ 65
Linking Gap and Impact
2015|
J Behav Med|
PubMed|
32791383|
10.1007/s10865-015-9656-z
Outcome type: Favorable
Results indicated an inverse relation between social support and diastolic BP, and also an interaction with income, such that higher social support related to lower diastolic BP in the lowest-income individuals. The hypothesized buffering effect of social support on the adverse relation of income to BP was partially supported in at-risk African-American adults.
Other
Peer Reviewed
Linking Gap and Impact
2020|
J Psychiatr Res|
PubMed|
38175944|
10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.06.028
Outcome type: Favorable
The findings show loneliness and social exclusion as a multifaceted construct are linked to an increased prevalence of pain.
Other
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Gap and Impact
2024|
JMIR Aging|
PubMed|
35394621|
10.2196/47908
Outcome type: Favorable
Intergenerational befriending intervention reduced boredom and loneliness among older adults and enhanced positive attitude and confidence among university students. Older adults showed interest in the intervention and shared their daily life experiences with the students, which helped to reduce the gap between generations.
Other
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2023|
J Racial Ethn Health Disparities|
PubMed|
27346650|
10.1007/s40615-022-01299-2
The authors evaluate the effect of Live Well by Faith, a government support faith-based program to promote healthy living across several African American Churches, on promoting overall wellness among African Americans.
Outcome type: Favorable
Most participants reported increased awareness about chronic health conditions, better social supports to facilitate behavior change, and creation of health networks within the community.
Other
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2016|
J Am Med Dir Assoc|
PubMed|
38709573|
10.1016/j.jamda.2016.04.018
This study evaluates the effect of a home-based and volunteer-administered physical training and nutritional intervention program compared with social support intervention nutritional and frailty status among prefrail and frail older adults living in the community.
Outcome type: Favorable
The results indicate that a home-based physical training, nutritional, and social support intervention conducted by nonprofessionals is feasible and can help to tackle malnutrition and frailty in older persons living at home. Furthermore, social support alone also can result in improvement. In particular, older adults with impaired nutritional status at baseline can benefit more from the intervention.
Randomized Controlled Trial
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2024|
Aging Ment Health|
PubMed|
29430865|
10.1080/13607863.2024.2345776
This study evaluates the effect of the JAVA Music Club-Digital (JMC-D), a social intervention designed to mitigate risks of physical distancing due COVID-19 pandemic isolation, on mental health outcomes among older adults living in residential care.
Outcome type: Favorable
Across the three time points there was a large effect for depressive symptoms, social isolation, and quality of life, though not statistically significant. There was a significant immediate increase in happiness following engagement in the JMC-D sessions.
Other
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2015|
J Nurs Res|
PubMed|
25534575|
10.1097/jnr.0000000000000063
The authors examine the effect of horticultural therapy on psychosocial health outcomes in older adults living in nursing homes.
Outcome type: Favorable
The results of generalized estimating equation showed significant improvements in depression and loneliness. Four categories emerged from the qualitative data content analysis: social connection, anticipation and hope, sense of achievement, and companionship.
Prospective Cohort Study
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2020|
Scand J Caring Sci|
Siren|
32285499|
10.1111/scs.12852
The authors test perceived loneliness and depression and social support and quality of life among older adults living in the community, compared with non-lonely controls from the same area. Activities studied included educational workshops, mindfulness, yoga, walking and visits to urban gardens.
Outcome type: Favorable
The intervention mainly reached people with moderate loneliness and significantly improved the perception of loneliness, depressive symptoms, social support and the mental health component of the quality of life.
Randomized Controlled Trial
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2024|
JMIR Form Res|
PubMed|
38477965|
10.2196/49462
The authors examine the effect of chatbots on psychological stress among older adults amidst social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Outcome type: Favorable
Use of the chatbot lead to loneliness significantly improving in the older group ≥65 years.
Prospective Cohort Study
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2023|
Int J Environ Res Public Health|
PubMed|
36981761|
10.3390/ijerph20064853
This review appraises studies on the association between social isolation, low social support, and loneliness with health service utilization and survival after a cardiovascular disease event among adults.
Outcome type: Favorable
Lower social support is associated with high-intensity healthcare services, lower outpatient rehabilitation attendance, greater rehospitalization and poorer survival
Systematic Review
Peer Reviewed
Cardiovascular Disorders
Linking Intervention and Impact
2021|
Maturitas|
PubMed|
33358203|
10.1016/j.maturitas.2020.09.003
The authors evaluate the effect of a social robot intervention on sleep and motor activity among nursing home residents living with dementia and chronic pain.
Outcome type: Favorable
Intervention group had greater increase in night sleep period, daytime wakefulness, and greater reduction in daytime sleep. No significant results were found for motor activity.
Randomized Controlled Trial
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Dementia
Linking Intervention and Impact
2024|
Gerontologist|
PubMed|
37935416|
10.1093/geront/gnad147
The authors evaluate the effect of enhanced social interactions, internet-based conversational engagement, on brain function among socially isolated older adults without dementia.
Outcome type: Favorable
Experimental group had higher global cognitive test scores; experimental group participants with normal cognition had higher language-based executive function; experimental group of mild cognitive impairment subjects had higher encoding function
Randomized Controlled Trial
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Dementia
Linking Intervention and Impact
2019|
Diabetes Educ|
PubMed|
30895881|
10.1177/0145721719837899
The authors evaluate the effect of a culturally-tailored family-based self-management education and social support intervention on family social capital with among Mexican American adults with type 2 diabetes and their family member.
Outcome type: Neutral
Social integration scores did not change over time, sustained intervention effect was noted for family efficacy for general health and total family efficacy
Randomized Controlled Trial
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Diabetes
Linking Intervention and Impact
2021|
Disabil Rehabil|
PubMed|
31564167|
10.1080/09638288.2019.1668969
The authors test the effect of social support on treatment uptake and adherence in chronic back pain patients.
Outcome type: Favorable
Findings indicated that age, social support had a significant positive effect on the number of treatment sessions attended by participants and that life control, affective distress, and level of social support were negatively related to disability levels
Prospective Cohort Study
Peer Reviewed
Age ≤ 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2022|
JAMA Netw Open|
PubMed|
36251294|
10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.36676
This study examines interventions associated with a reduction in loneliness and social isolation among older adults.
Outcome type: Neutral
Social intervention studies had no effect on loneliness and/or isolation.
Meta Analysis
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Gap and Impact
2022|
Acta Psychol (Amst)|
PubMed|
35576818|
10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103616
Outcome type: Favorable
Higher levels of social support were negatively correlated with loneliness, with stronger results for rural populations, effect of perceived social supports is greater than others, and friend support is stronger than family and significant other support.
Meta Analysis
Peer Reviewed
Linking Intervention and Impact
2019|
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality|
PubMed|
30830728|
The authors reviewed recent literature evaluating the effectiveness of multiple interventions that target social isolation and loneliness to improve health care and/or health care utilization.
Outcome type: Neutral
Few social interventions had positive effects on social isolation and health outcomes
Systematic Review
Age > 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2022|
Clin Interv Aging|
PubMed|
35431543|
10.2147/CIA.S349836
The authors appraised evidence on the effectiveness of multiple complex interventions designed to reduce social vulnerability to improve health related outcomes among older adults living in the community. Matches CMS definition.
Outcome type: Favorable
There was evidence to support positive influences of social support interventions on function, cognition, subjective health, and reduced hospital utilization. The evidence was mixed for non-hospital healthcare utilization and insufficient to determine effect on mortality.
Systematic Review
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2022|
J Appl Gerontol|
PubMed|
33541189|
10.1177/0733464821990485
The authors used a bootstrapping technique to hypothesize the relationship between leisure, social support, and positive affect.
Outcome type: Favorable
Results indicated that leisure activity, social support, and positive affect were significantly associated, but the relationship varied.
Other
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2022|
JMIR Ment Health|
PubMed|
35254273|
10.2196/34221
This study explores information and communication technology solutions for reducing social isolation or loneliness among older adults.
Outcome type: Neutral
Half of studies showed an improvement in health and half reported no significant changes in health.
Systematic Review
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2017|
J Affect Disord|
PubMed|
28472703|
10.1016/j.jad.2017.04.043
This review appraises studies on social interventions that have been designed to reduce depression in adults.
Outcome type: Favorable
Majority of studies found depressive symptoms were reduced among the participating adults from the general population
Systematic Review
Peer Reviewed
Age ≤ 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2017|
BMJ Open|
PubMed|
28446525|
10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014304
This review examines studies on befriending interventions, an emotional supportive relationship in which one-to-one companionship is provided on a regular basis by a volunteer, on improving physical and mental health outcomes.
Outcome type: Neutral
Befriending was significantly associated with better patient-reported outcomes across primary measures, there was no significant benefit on single outcomes, including depression, quality of life, loneliness ratings, self-esteem measures, social support structures and well-being.
Systematic Review
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2023|
JMIR Form Res|
PubMed|
37930770|
10.2196/48864
This study the effects of participation with a digital peer support intervention on mental health outcomes and health-related quality of life among adults with loneliness.
Outcome type: Favorable
Results suggest that a digitally enabled peer support program can be effective in addressing loneliness, depression, anxiety, and health-related quality of life among a diverse population of adults with loneliness.
Prospective Cohort Study
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Age ≤ 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2021|
Front Psychol|
PubMed|
34557122|
10.3389/fpsyg.2021.554145
This review appraises studies on the effectiveness of existing interventions for alleviating social isolation among older adults.
Outcome type: Favorable
This study suggests that group and mixed intervention targeting of older adults could be helpful for alleviating social isolation problems. The use of modern technology for remote services could also present good results.
Systematic Review
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2021|
Pharm Pract (Granada)|
PubMed|
34221197|
10.18549/PharmPract.2021.2.2300
This review analyzes studies on the impact of patients' social supports on medication adherence among hypertensive patients.
Outcome type: Neutral
Family members or peer support may promote better adherence in some patient groups, but inconclusive results.
Systematic Review
Peer Reviewed
Cardiovascular Disorders
Linking Gap and Impact
2017|
Aust Health Rev|
PubMed|
27712611|
10.1071/AH16038
Outcome type: Favorable
Social connections, informal social participation and volunteering contribute to the association between social participation and health.
Other
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2021|
J Med Internet Res|
PubMed|
34085942|
10.2196/24712
The authors evaluate the effectiveness of digital technology interventions in reducing loneliness in adults.
Outcome type: Neutral
The overall effect estimates showed no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of DTIs compared with that of usual care or non-DTIs at follow-up at 3, 4, and 6 months
Meta Analysis
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2021|
PLoS One|
PubMed|
34499682|
10.1371/journal.pone.0256900
The authors evaluate how befriending interventions work as to combat social isolation and loneliness among older adults.
Outcome type: Favorable
Study improves understanding about how and why befriending interventions work.
Prospective Cohort Study
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2021|
Int J Environ Res Public Health|
PubMed|
33673281|
10.3390/ijerph18041808
This study examines the effectiveness of a social intervention (Tell Stories for Life) designed to strengthen social relationships between nursing home residents by telling personal stories.
Outcome type: Neutral
Intervention did not appear to strengthen and establish social relations among nursing home residents. However, we found that there might be potential for strengthening residents’ sense of identity and the relation between residents and nursing home employees.
Prospective Cohort Study
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Gap and Impact
2021|
Prev Med|
PubMed|
33516759|
10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106440
Outcome type: Favorable
Older adults with greater diversity of social networks, regardless of perceived quality of social support, had higher mean scores in HRQOL domains, though perceived quality of social support was not associated with HRQOL
Other
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2021|
BMC Geriatr|
PubMed|
34670502|
10.1186/s12877-021-02511-4
The authors evaluate the effect of the Tailored Activity Program (TAP) on clinical symptoms, health-related events, and improved caregiver wellbeing, among adults. TAP involves assessing the abilities and interests of a person living with dementia, instructing caregivers in using prescribed activities, and providing dementia education and stress reduction techniques.
Outcome type: Favorable
TAP conferred no benefit to agitation/aggression, but resulted in less IADL, and ADL assistance, improved caregiver wellbeing, and confidence using activities
Randomized Controlled Trial
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Age ≤ 65
Dementia
Linking Intervention and Impact
2023|
J Gen Intern Med|
PubMed|
37723366|
10.1007/s11606-023-08387-x
The authors assess the feasibility of CONNECTED: a novel, telehealth-based, transdiagnostic intervention to reduce social isolation that includes individual and group components and is delivered to veterans by peers via telehealth.
Outcome type: Favorable
Results also showed statistically significant improvements in social isolation, social support, anxiety, and depression.
Prospective Cohort Study
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2019|
Inquiry|
PubMed|
30791836|
10.1177/0046958018823929
This review examines studies on the effect of social interventions on social and health-related measures among nursing home residents.
Outcome type: Favorable
All studies found the social interventions brought about positive trends on either/or the social and health-related measures included.
Systematic Review
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65
Linking Intervention and Impact
2020|
Clin Gerontol|
PubMed|
31423915|
10.1080/07317115.2019.1650863
This review examines the effect of companion animals (including pets and more formal arrangements) on the physical and mental health of older adults.
Outcome type: Favorable
Involvement with a companion animal improved participant quality of life and effectively attenuated symptoms of depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment, and the behavioral and psychiatric symptoms of dementia, increased in physical activity and improved blood pressure and heart rate variability
Systematic Review
Peer Reviewed
Age > 65