The Wisconsin Coalition to End Social Isolation & Loneliness has brought together resources and tools for communities to utilize. Learn about the coalition and the initiatives to support older adults and people with disabilities below.
Social Isolation & Loneliness: What’s the Difference?
Resources for Professionals

Two work groups of WCESIL work in this area: Public Policy and Measurement.
The Impact of Loneliness & Social Isolation
Loneliness and social isolation have serious physical and mental health implications in older adults and people with disabilities.
In older adults:
A study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine showed:
In people with disabilities:
A Michigan University health policy brief developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research showed:
In People in Wisconsin:
Public Policy Issues Impacting Loneliness & Social Isolation
Research on Loneliness & Social Isolation in Older Adults

The Public Awareness Work Group works in this area.
Raising Awareness to Connect People
The resources here are intended for professionals to utilize as tools and examples for engaging members of your community to encourage meaningful connections and purpose.
How can you use these tools in your community? We’ve shared some strategies, but feel free to be creative and share what has been successful!
Awareness Resources
If you have a newsletter, paper, do bag stuffers, or have other print or online communication with isolated members of your community, consider inserting one of the following. Download and enter your own community activities and events to distribute to people in your area.
Media Tools
Stay Connected
This fillable document can help people who are lonely and/or socially isolated create an action plan for creating meaningful connections.
Toolkits

The Access & Detection Work Group works in this area.
Detecting Loneliness & Social Isolation and Engaging in Interventions
Identifying people who are lonely and/or socially isolated is a challenge. But it’s a critical step in reaching and supporting them.
The resources here provide tools for assessing and providing resources to community members to encourage meaningful connections and purpose. How can you use these tools in your community? We’ve shared some strategies, but feel free to be creative and share what has been successful!
How connected are your community members? Share this self-evaluation from AARP’s Connect2Affect.

How connected do individuals in your community feel?
This self-evaluation tool from AARP’s Connect2Affect can help people identify their level of connection.
National Resources
Wisconsin Resources
Recorded Webinars
Contact Pam VanKampen, GWAAR OAA Consultant with any questions or if you have additional resources.

The Access & Detection work group of the Wisconsin Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness (WCESIL) is conducting a pilot for partners to access information and resources. Please see the resources below. For information or questions, contact Sara Richie
The below resources are those used for the WCESIL Screening Pilot
National:
State:
Local:
Wisconsin Coalition to End Social Isolation & Loneliness (WCESIL)
What if we could build communities where everyone feels a sense of belonging? Where real connections between people create impactful relationships? Where we all live with meaning and purpose?
The Wisconsin Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness (WCESIL) brings community organizations and individuals together to make that happen. WIHA participates in WCESIL.
Learn More about the Coalition:
The Wisconsin Coalition to End Social Isolation & Loneliness (WCESIL) encourages individuals and organizations from all across the state to join us in finding and supporting people who are lonely and/or socially isolated. As a member, you’ll have the opportunity to join a work group to play a role in the effort or simply stay informed about coalition activities and initiatives.
To register your organization as a member, please fill out the agreement:
To join as an individual, please fill out the appropriate form below and let us know your interests and availability. We will follow up with you to facilitate your participation.