Episode Description
Social connection has long been associated with good quality of life, as well as positive physical and mental health outcomes for seniors. With the COVID-19 pandemic, most seniors are struggling to balance that quality of life with life itself. Social isolation and loneliness were already prevalent in our senior population. Today even those living in retirement communities are advised to stay-at-home, which is exacerbating an already serious problem. Families and professionals are seeing a significant increase in isolation related problems such as depression, physical/cognitive decline and emotional distress. To address this growing crisis, I will be joined by Crystal Littlejohn, a Geriatric Care Manager and founder of a program specifically designed to address the need for engagement with older adults. We will discuss social isolation, its’ impact on seniors and ways that thoughtfully engaging loved ones can benefit their overall well-being.
Guests:
Crystal Littlejohn MHSA, CMC, CSA
Crystal Littlejohn has lived in service to seniors for the entirety of her adulthood. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Plymouth State University, as well as a master’s degree in Health Services Administration from Strayer University. During a health care career that spans almost 35 years, Crystal has obtained quality experience in the assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, hospice, and geriatric care management arenas. Crystal is a Certified Assisted Living Facility Manager Certification (CALFM),a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and since 2007, has been certified as a CMC (Care Manager Certified). Ms. Littlejohn is founder of Geriatric Resources, LLC, a Geriatric Care Management firm offering assessments and on-going care management to seniors. She is also founder of Thoughtful Engagement® Inc., a business to business service provider that provides a personalized, meaningful social engagement program to other service company’s new and existing clientele.
