Combating Social Isolation

Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) Secretary Richard Prudom, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging Lance Robertson and Alzheimer’s Association Chief Strategy Officer Joanne Pike, Dr.P.H., are just a few of the noteworthy speakers slated to participate in “Florida’s Project VITAL Virtual Forum: Combating Social Isolation” on Thursday, Aug. 20.

The forum, to be hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association, will address the needs of Florida’s
socially isolated seniors both at home and in long-term care facilities who have been separated
from their families due to COVID-19.

“The last few months have been an especially difficult time for Alzheimer’s caregivers and
families who have been unable to see their loved ones in person due to COVID-19 restrictions in
long-term care communities,” Pike said. “We know social isolation among people with dementia
contributes to individual decline and stress among family caregivers who cannot assess the
health of their loved ones. The Project VITAL Virtual Forum will bring together industry
leaders, state agencies and family caregivers for an in-depth discussion on the seriousness of
social isolation and will showcase innovative solutions to combat the effects as COVID-19
continues.”

Since April, the DOEA has sought to mitigate some of those effects through Project VITAL
(Virtual Inclusive Technology for All), a joint initiative with the Alzheimer’s Association to
virtually connect seniors in long-term care communities with their families by providing them
with tablets. An update on the progress of those efforts and plans for future success, provided by
the DOEA secretary, will be one of several topics addressed by the forum.

“Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, the Department has launched numerous
initiatives to specifically address social isolation resulting from COVID-19,” Prudom said. “One
of those initiatives is Project VITAL, and it has been extremely well-received throughout
Florida’s long-term care communities. As we look forward to the day when a physical hug may
take place, these tablets have allowed critical connections among families until that day arrives.
This forum will further the ability of Project VITAL’s sustainable model and continue to address
the social needs of families throughout this pandemic.”

Other guest speakers will include Alzheimer’s Association Chief Science Officer Maria Carrillo
and iN2L (It’s Never 2 Late) Co-founder Jack York, as well as Dr. Sanjeev Arora, co-founder
and director of Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes).

The discussion will be moderated by Michelle Branham, vice president of public policy for the
Alzheimer’s Association’s Florida region, and at the end of the program, attendees will have the
opportunity to participate in a Q&A session.

To register for Florida’s Project VITAL Virtual Forum, visit https://primetime.bluejeans.co... or contact the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at (800) 272-3900.