Compassionate Contacts: A Social Prescription for Loneliness

Prince Taylor, M.Ed | Deputy Director for VA Center for Development & Civic Engagement | Doctoral student at Vanderbilt University
Lori Murphy, LISW-S | Caregiver Support Social Worker, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

As the world tried to make sense of a once in a lifetime event, a vulnerable population almost got left behind. At the VA, we quickly developed and implemented a virtual program that we thought was one thing, but turned out to be something entirely different. Something that addressed the needs of that vulnerable, yet often overlooked, population of veterans; using an innovative social prescription method that’s as old as time. Participants will discover how to: Explain how Social Prescribing can improve and impact health outcomes. Identify and describe the difference between loneliness and social isolation and how they affect health outcomes. Explain some of the partnerships needed to implement a social prescribing program at your local facility.