Social isolation, which the U.S. Surgeon General has declared a public health crisis in the United States, can be one of the hardest parts of growing older, which is why having a Village in your community is so important.

Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General, recently released the first-ever report on loneliness and isolation in the United States, highlighting the health risks that come from a loss of social connection. “Social connection is as fundamental to our mental and physical health as food, water, and sleep,” Murthy said in releasing the report.  Click here to read the full report. 

According to a 2022 survey of Village members in DC:

• More than two-thirds of respondents said they hardly ever felt isolated from others.
• 70% said they hardly ever feel left out
• 92% report that Village membership made them feel a part of a caring community, citing new friendships, improved quality of life, and a positive attitude toward aging as benefits from their affiliation with their local Village.

Village members aren’t the only ones to benefit. Research has shown that volunteering provides many health benefits, such as improving physical and mental health, providing a sense of purpose, and nurturing new and existing relationships.  Helping others increases dopamine levels in the brain providing a sense of well-being and reducing stress and anxiety.