3:00-4:00 p.m

23-H. Inclusive by Design: Addressing Isolation and Loneliness in Senior Living

The serious health risks associated with loneliness among individuals living alone are well-documented. However, less is known about addressing isolation that persists even when people reside in a community with their peers. This session will explore the difference between genuine human connection and mere physical proximity. Presenters will identify ways in which isolation and loneliness can persist within communities and examine the additional challenges that LGBTQ+ older adults face when accessing care, shelter, and community support. You'll discover new opportunities to promote inclusion and connection among older adults and team members, ranging from small cultural shifts to more significant changes in the design of the built environment.

• Susie Parsons, Associate, Interior Designer, Rice Fergus Miller Architecture & Planning — Bremerton, WA, USA
• Jill Chang, Marketing and Sales Director, Bayview — Seattle, WA