MHA CAPSTONE PRESENTATIONS

Date: May 16, 2025

Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Event credit - 1.5 Qualified Credits

Event Title: MHA CAPSTONE PRESENTATIONS

Presentation Topics: 

Interventions to Reduce Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Seniors

Cost: Free

Moderator: Dr. Leeza L. Bacon, DHA, FACHE, MBA, BBA

Presentations:

Grand Valley State University

Name: Ben Russ

Title: Patient Advocacy and Healthcare Law

Abstract: Patients often find themselves in a quandary when it comes to the utilization of healthcare and how to navigate the complexity of health insurance and provider treatment.  To address this, the history of patient advocacy must be reviewed, along with the role that the government plays in the offerings of healthcare and advocacy law, the presence of advocacy groups, and the provider/patient relationship paired with self-advocacy.  This type of advocacy cannot be limited to any one method or persons, so it is important to help individuals understand their options and offer education on what is available to them based on their individual healthcare needs.

Ferris State University

Naomi Evans, MHA

Assistant Service Coordinator Program Director

Title:  Interventions to Reduce Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Seniors

ABSTRACT: Loneliness and social isolation among older adults have become a significant public health concern with related adverse physical and mental health outcomes, including higher rates of mortality. The aging population and shift in the age structure make this a critical issue for healthcare leaders to consider related to the allocation of resources because of the impact this population is having on the utilization and costs of healthcare. This study explores various intervention strategies aimed at mitigating these impacts through a diverse array of intervention strategies including peer support, intergenerational programming, technology-based interventions, physical activity, and arts and culture. This study depicts the importance of tailored interventions to address the unique and diverse needs of this population and the importance of minimizing any potential barriers. Implications for future research exist to explore the long-term effectiveness of various interventions to assess their impact on different demographics within the senior population while investigating the cost-effectiveness and scalability of intervention strategies to provide insight into sustainability of programming.