Social Bridging NC Toolkit

Promoting Social Connectedness and Expanding Awareness about Social Isolation and Loneliness

This toolkit was developed by the North Carolina Center for Health and Wellness at the University of North Carolina Asheville with funding from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Aging.

Authors: Louise Noble, Senior Research Associate, Natasha Vos, Senior Project Manager, and Emma Olson, Interim Executive Director.

This toolkit's primary aims are to:

  • Raise awareness about how social isolation and loneliness negatively impact health.

  • Share lessons learned, practical tips, and evidence-based practices for improving social engagement and connectedness.

  • Provide resources and guidance to help others create similar phone-based reassurance, wellness or social call programs for older adults.

Tools & Materials

For more information and context about these resources, please see page 32 of the toolkit titled ‘Tools & Materials’.

This section of the toolkit contains resources and information focused on developing, implementing, evaluating, and sustaining programs dedicated to promoting social connectedness and addressing social isolation and loneliness, including:

  • Simple self-assessment tools that older adults can complete by themselves or with help to learn more about how much they may be at risk

  • Information about the benefits of the congregate meal program and about the advantages of using reverse mentoring and intergenerational programming to combat social isolation and loneliness

  • Marketing and outreach resources, including social media posts and graphics, that can be easily customized and used to promote your program, virtual events, and your project’s milestones

  • Maps with county-level data about social isolation and loneliness risk factors in NC’s older adult population

  • Information about how social isolation and loneliness can impact your health and how chronic illnesses and disabilities can put people at greater risk of being socially isolated and lonely

  • Graphics and other educational materials to give to participants and others to build awareness of social isolation and loneliness and how it can impact their health and well being

  • Surveys to evaluate your program and its impact on the participants and the callers

  • Instructional materials to help participants learn new technology-based skills, such as accessing Zoom to attend your virtual programs

  • Virtual programming FAQs and tips for providers that include ideas for program topics, different options for hosting virtual programs, and resources to improve the accessibility of your programs and enhance your participants’ experience

Assessment Tools and Information

Congregate Meal Site Information

Customizable Materials

Program Evaluation

Educational & Instructional Materials: For Participants

Educational & Instructional Materials: For Staff

Participant Welcome Packet

Intergenerational Programming

Handouts: Data-Focused Graphics & Maps

Handouts: Information Graphics

Social Media Posts, Graphics & Videos

Trusted Sources for Addressing Social Isolation & Loneliness

Administration for Community Living (ACL):

American Association of Retired Persons’ (AARP):

  • Connect 2 Affect program: Network of resources that increases the social connectedness that older adults need to thrive and to increase awareness of the impact of social isolation and loneliness on older adults. The program offers tools to assess risk of social isolation and to find local resources and support.

  • Connect 2 Affect Mapping Tool

  • AARP: 888-687-2277 or visit www.aarp.org/caregiving

Additional Trusted Resources: