The Impact of Weekly Friendly Calls on Social Engagement and Health

Clinical Trial Title

Older Adult Isolation and Loneliness Intervention Impact on Healthcare Utilization and Social Engagement Evaluation

Contact Information

Clinical Trial Protocol Description:

Participants will receive weekly friendly calls from trained volunteers and will be asked to participate in occasional surveys to measure social engagement and emotional wellness.

The RUSH Senior Connections Friendly Caller program has been active since April 2020, originally created to provide friendly calls to alleviate loneliness and social isolation during shelter-in-place orders at the beginning of the pandemic. The program has been sustained as one of the regular offerings through the RUSH Generations program, allowing RUSH staff, students, and volunteers to make weekly friendly calls to lonely or socially isolated older adults throughout the West Side of Chicago.

Through this six-month study, RUSH Generations will be studying the impact the weekly friendly calls has on call recipients’ social isolation, loneliness, and health care utilization. The goals of this study will be to apply for institutional or outside funding to support the sustainably of the friendly caller program for Rush patients and other members of the community.

Clinical Trial Eligibility Criteria:

In order to participate you must meet the following criteria:

  • Are at least 55 years of age.
  • Have a primary or specialty care physician at RUSH.
  • Have been to the emergency room or hospitalized at least once in the past 12 months.

This is a partial list of eligibility requirements. To inquire about your eligibility, please call the contact number provided. If you wish to inquire via email, please include the title of the study in your message.

Study Details

Clinical Trial Investigator

Padraic Stanley, LCSW

Contact Information

Hannah Weitzman

Clinical Trial Location

Rush University Medical Center
Rush Copley Medical Center

Locations

Rush University Medical Center

1620 W Harrison St
Chicago, IL 60612

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Rush Copley Medical Center

2000 Ogden Ave
Aurora, IL 60504

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