1st Annual Saint Louis University Summit on Loneliness and Social Isolation

Friday, October 6, 2023, 9:00 AM - 4:15 PM, On-Line

Loneliness and social isolation have emerged as a public health epidemic in the United States (U.S.) which has impacted the physical, emotional, and social health of individuals from all age groups. One age group that continues to be affected by this trend is the aging population. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic heightened this problem, loneliness and isolation was a growing problem for homebound adults who did not have the resources or means to seek connection. Loneliness is more than just a general feeling of emptiness, but also a major risk factor for medical and mental health risks such as cardiovascular disease, depression, and even memory loss.

Recently, the Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, published a new advisory note on the dire consequences of loneliness on the public’s overall health. This advisory included several recommendations for both healthcare providers and communities to consider helping curb this trend. The framework included areas such as social infrastructure, policy changes, mobilizing the healthcare sector, increasing digital connectedness, and cultivating a culture of connection. Given these key priorities laid out by Dr. Murthy, several clinicians and researchers at Saint Louis University have started to develop strategies to make older adult health and social connections stronger.

At our institution, we have addressed and incorporated loneliness and social isolation among older adults into many of our initiatives. Providers routinely assess loneliness as part of their Medical Annual Wellness Visits, utilizing referrals and resources when screening older adults around this issue. SLU is the first university in the U.S. to implement “Circle of Friends,” an evidenced-based intervention to alleviate loneliness and isolation in the aging population. Our presentations on the epidemic of loneliness and trainings on loneliness and social isolation and Circle of Friends training have reached thousands of providers and staff from organizations across the country. We have already seen Circle of Friends significantly impact our communities, especially those from underserved and marginalized groups in St. Louis. We have even developed an ALONE scale (now validated), which is a brief screener in our healthcare settings for loneliness in older adult patients.

To bring greater attention to this critical issue, Drs. Max Zubatsky and Marla Berg-Weger, faculty at Saint Louis University and leaders of the HRSA-funded Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, are hosting the first annual SLU Loneliness and Social isolation Summit in October of 2023. This virtual event will highlight the impact that loneliness and isolation has had on the aging population in the U.S. We will look to draw attendees from healthcare settings, long-term care facilities, university researchers, community health workers, and professional caregivers of older adults. In the afternoon session of the summit, attendees can sign up for additional training on the “Circle of Friends” intervention, with a pre-keynote address from the founders of the intervention who are from Finland.

1. Gain awareness of the prevalence and impact of loneliness and social isolation among older adults.
2. Analyze the evidence for non-pharmacologic interventions for persons experiencing social isolation and loneliness.
3. Identify criteria for appropriateness to receive non-pharmacologic interventions for social engagement.
4. Integrate knowledge and skills gained to introduce Circle of Friends®, a group intervention to address social isolation, including: promotion and recruitment strategies, establishing Group Ground Rules, including role of facilitator
5. Implementing three core components of Circle of Friends transition to maintenance

Saint Louis University will host the first summit on addressing loneliness and social isolation in older adults. Professionals, academics, students, caregivers and community volunteers will be part of this unique event. Speakers from around the world will discuss different topics and interventions to help curb this
trend in older adults.

Registration Fees:
-Students, residents, fellows, GWEP or GEC Community Partners: Free
-All others: Morning session only: $50
-All others: Full day: $150

Accreditation

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, in cooperation with the Gateway Geriatric Education Center. Saint Louis University School of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation:

Saint Louis University designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Saint Louis University School of Medicine will provide Other learner certificates (APPs, nurses, and other types of learners).  The certificate will state that the activity was designated for 6.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.  Follow your board's requirements for reciprocal CE credits.

---

Physical Therapy

Saint Louis University School of Medicine Continuing Education Program is a continuing education sponsor for the State of Illinois to provide Physical Therapy and Occupation Therapy CE courses. 

State of Illinois Physical Therapy Continuing Education Sponsor License # 216.000085 Expiration Date: 09/30/2024 - CE Contact hours: 7.25

State of Missouri: Acceptable continuing education is automatically approved if such course or activity is obtained as follows; Courses and activities sponsored/approved by the American Medical Association (AMA) As stated in Chapter 3-Licensing of Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistants, 20 CSR 2050-3.203, page 15.

---

Occupational Therapy 

State of Illinois Occupational Therapy Continuing Education Sponsor License #224-000052 Expiration Date: 12/30/2023 Contact hours: 7.25

---

Saint Louis University School of Social Work

Saint Louis University School of Social Work approves a maximum of 6.0 Continuing Education Hours. Saint Louis School of Social Work is an approved provider of continuing education credits in Missouri and a Registered Social Work Continuing Education Sponsor in Illinois License # 159.000573. Social workers outside of this regional area can contact their state’s regulatory board to check any approval. 

---

Missouri Nursing Home Administrators

1^st Annual Saint Louis University Summit on Loneliness and Social Isolation is approved for a total of 6.0 PC clock hours. Approval number TA-103-06-25.

---

Saint Louis University Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing

Saint Louis University Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Midwest Multistate Division, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Midwest MSD Provider Approval #MO224-3
Nursing Contact Hours: 6.0  Approval #N24005

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Saint Louis University School of Medicine adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

Friday, October 6, 2023