Answering a call to promote social connections to address a “loneliness epidemic,” a product innovation company in the aging space is launching the Reach Out and Play initiative, which will see the hosting of hundreds of board game events in September around the country.
Ageless Innovation is behind the initiative, sponsored by AARP. Building on the success of its Joy for All Companion Pets for older adults, the company is working with leaders in aging-related industries to organize game nights and other activities with sponsor AARP.
Earlier this year, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, declared a war on the “loneliness epidemic,” announcing a national strategy to advance social connection.
“Science has shown the power of human connection and the health threats of chronic loneliness or social isolation,” Heather Nawrocki, AARP vice president of fun and fulfillment, said in a statement. “Connecting with others, be it through close relationships or casual interactions with others, add up to create and maintain a strong social network at any life stage.”
The senior living industry responded to Murthy’s advisory by holding the assisted living model up as a solution to strengthening social connections for older adults.
Residents, family members and caregivers from a Rhode Island assisted living community also worked with Ageless Innovation on its recently introduced series of reimagined classic board games in partnerships with Hasbro. The company redesigned board games to meet the needs and interests of older adults and to encourage intergenerational play among families.
Many of those board games will be at the center of Reach Out and Play events planned nationwide this fall.
“Play is not a ‘nice to have.’ It is a basic human need, and the Reach Out and Play campaign creates a call-to-action to bring people together, showcasing the benefits and power of play to foster essential social connections and improve emotional health and well-being,” Ageless Innovation co-founder and CEO Ted Fischer said. “AARP has embraced the vision of Reach Out and Play, and our hope is that many others will join our mission and create even more events and reasons to play this year and beyond.”
