AARP launches ‘Community Connections’ to find, give help during pandemic

AARP Community Connections, a new online platform launched by AARP Innovation Labs this week, allows users to organize and find local volunteer groups to help pick up groceries, provide financial assistance or lend emotional support to neighbors, friends and loved ones.

Across the country, these informal online groups — also called “mutual aid” groups — help communities stay connected at a time when people must practice social distancing to stay safe. 

“We may need be physically isolated, but we don’t have to feel alone,” said Ruby Haughton-Pitts, AARP Oregon State Director.  “In this unprecedented time, AARP remains committed to helping the 50-plus population, and AARP Community Connections is one more way we’re innovating to improve our communities,” she said.

AARP Community Connections includes multiple resources to help those who are feeling isolated, depressed, overwhelmed or anxious. Users are able to:

• Request a call from an AARP volunteer, or a trained counselor; 
• Easily create an account with Savo to make connecting with their families easier; 
• Join “The Mighty,” a safe, supportive online community for people facing health challenges and their caregivers. 

Social isolation was a common problem, even before the coronavirus pandemic: A 2020 study, published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine and supported by AARP Foundation, reported 43 percent of adults age 60 or older said they had felt lonely. And, while social isolation and loneliness are serious health issues by themselves, they can also exacerbate existing health problems, such as lung disease, heart disease and diabetes. AARP Community Connections helps people reach out to volunteers in their community who are willing to help their neighbors with their unique needs.

AARP Community Connections is live and completely free to use, and AARP membership is not required.  For more information, visit www.aarpcommunityconnections.org.