Eradicating the Loneliness Epidemic: One Phone Call at a Time.

Abstract

Loneliness and social isolation are serious problems that can impose negative consequences on individual well-being. Research suggests that loneliness can lead to an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and other health issues. Meritus Health, recognizing that loneliness is an issue within its community, has set a goal to comprehensively eradicate loneliness. As part of this effort, Meritus implemented the Care Caller program in November of 2021 through which a volunteer is paired up with a patient from our institution who has indicated that they are lonely. Each duo then finds a weekly cadence to share in 15- to 30-minute phone calls to facilitate meaningful social interaction. As of July 2023, the program has 500 participants enrolled with 47 volunteers and 2 full-time employees, and over 350 people are called weekly. In the last fiscal year, over 75,000 minutes have been spent on the phone between care callers and participants with promising results. Of the 172 participants who have been in the program for 4+ months, 166 have indicated that they felt less lonely, yielding a success rate of 97%. Meritus Health continues to further this program by increasing the number of care callers and utilization of Plan-Do-Study-Act rapid improvement.