SDSU CEAL promotes the opportunity for long healthy lives with purpose, meaning and equity, adopting a holistic outlook on longevity, both extending the number of years and overall quality of life, as individuals age. Our mission is centered on fostering vitality, resilience, and overall well-being.
Our approach emphasizes shared learning, collaboration and partnering with diverse stakeholders including government, community-based organizations, business, and older adults and their families/caregivers across the following key areas for health and wellbeing:
The Challenges:
It is essential to address the older adult, family, community, and societal issues that arise from the rapidly changing demographics from our aging population. Our aging population has an estimated extended life expectancy, with approximately 20 years beyond the traditional retirement age of 65. This is known as the longevity dividend, a concept that underscores the potential advantages of investing in strategies that promote healthy aging and productivity during these additional years. This unprecedented lifespan will drive social, health, political and economic changes which will require comprehensive, adaptive solutions that address:
– Changing population demographics
– Accessibility, availability, and affordability of healthcare
– Fostering equity and social justice among diverse communities
– Reducing social isolation and loneliness
– Increasing social connections and a sense of belonging
– Addressing the financial challenges to support livable communities
– Supporting caregivers’ wellbeing
– Developing sustainable economic options
Our Solution
We are building a comprehensive approach to enhance the holistic well-being of older adults and their families/caregivers. Initially, this is achieved by researching, developing, and sharing valuable information to empower older adults. We collaborate/partner with industry leaders and trusted sources to provide innovative, community-based solutions to address both current and emerging issues impacting older adult quality of life.
Healthy Longevity Webinar Series
Our new webinar series explores the latest research, expert insights, and practical tips for promoting longevity and well-being. Each topic is designed to delve into innovative strategies to enhance healthy longevity. Click Here to view our latest webinar
The Wellness Club
The Wellness Club, a collaboration between CEAL and Wellcare by Health Net, embodies an inclusive, community-based approach to fostering health and well-being. It is purposefully designed to empower older adults by providing a platform for learning, information-sharing, and meaningful community connections that promote a sense of belonging and equity.
Through an intentional focus on four fundamental areas – resource navigation, aging excellence, social connections, and health & wellness – the Wellness Club uses a variety of innovative approaches to engage older adults and those who care for them. These approaches include in-person empowerment events, an online resource hub, intergenerational experiences, wellness ambassadors, and peer navigation.
Social Connection
The lack of social connections results in substantial burdens for individuals, communities, and society.
– Social isolation among older adults leads to an estimated $67 billion in additional Medicare expenditures.
– Loneliness and isolation are associated with lower academic achievement and worse performance at work.
– Inadequate social connections are linked to an elevated risk of disease, including a 29% higher risk of heart disease and 32% greater risk of stroke.
Building upon the Surgeon General’s Six Pillars to Advance Social Connection, our commitment to combating social isolation and loneliness is evident through a variety of initiatives: – The SDSU Intergenerational CallHub, a collaborative effort between CEAL and Determined Health, facilitates meaningful conversations between students and older adults.
– The SDSU Intergenerational Alliance (IGA) serves as a bridge, fostering relationships among students, alumni, older adults, and community organizations.
– We are actively exploring innovative opportunities for intergenerational housing, aiming to create inclusive living environments where both students and older adults can thrive.
– CEAL hosts a diverse range of events throughout the year, uniting individuals of all ages and backgrounds to foster connection and community.
– The CEAL blog, authored by SDSU students, serves as a platform dedicated to raising awareness about older adult issues and fostering meaningful discussions.
Resources
– AARP Longevity Economy State Profiles
– National Academy of Medicine – Global Roadmap from Healthy Longevity
– The Brookings Institution – The Retirement Challenge