Aging Fast & Slow

Wired for Connection: The Health Impact of Social Ties

Social connection is more than a feel-good concept—it’s a cornerstone of community resilience and public health. In this episode of Aging Fast & Slow, Dr. Thomas Cudjoe of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine discusses the science behind social ties, how isolation undermines both individual and community well-being, and what it takes to build stronger, more connected neighborhoods. Join us for a conversation that sheds light on the power of human connection to foster healthier, more resilient communities. REFERENCES: Cudjoe TKM, Boyd CM, Wolff JL, Roth DL. ⁠Advance care planning: Social isolation matters⁠. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2020 April. Cudjoe TKM, Kotwal AA. ⁠Social distancing amid a crisis in social isolation and loneliness⁠. J Am Geri Soc 2020 May 20. Cudjoe TKM, Roth DL, Szanton SL, Wolff JL, Boyd CM, Thorpe Jr., RJ. ⁠The epidemiology of social isolation: National Health & Aging Trends Study⁠. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2020 Jan 1. Cudjoe TKM, Selvakumar S, Chung S, Latkin CA, Roth DL, Thorpe Jr., RJ, Boyd CM. (2021). ⁠Getting under the Skin: Social isolation and biological markers in the National Health and Aging Trends Study⁠. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Golden SH, Cudjoe TKM, Galiatsatos P, Brownlee D, Flanagan E, Crews DC, Maruthur N, Brown M, Ashby A, Hellmann DB, Knox T, Anderson ME. ⁠A perspective on the Baltimore Freddie Gray riots: Turning tragedy into civic engagement and culture change in an academic department of medicine⁠. Acad Med. 2018 December.

Beyond the Meal: Rethinking Support for Older Adults

In this episode of Aging Fast & Slow, we explore how home- and community-based services—like Meals on Wheels—can enhance the well-being of older adults. Dr. Kali Thomas, AssociateDirector of Health Services Research at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing’s Center for Equity in Aging, joins us to discuss the evolving landscape of long-term care. From in-home support to assisted living, we examine innovative policies and approaches designed to meet both the medical and non-medical needs of our aging population.References: Home-Delivered Meals Thomas KS, Parikh R, Zullo AR, Dosa D. (2018) Home-Delivered Meals and Risk of Self-Reported Falls: Results From a Randomized Trial. J Appl Gerontol. 2018 Jan;37(1):41-57. PMID: 27798291. Thomas KS, Smego R, Akobundu U, Dosa D. (2017) Characteristics of Older Adults on Waiting Lists for Meals on Wheels: Identifying Areas for Intervention. J Appl Gerontol. 2017 Oct;36(10):1228-1242. PMCID: PMC4877281. Thomas KS, Akobundu U, Dosa D. (2016) More Than A Meal? A Randomized Control Trial Comparing the Effects of Home-Delivered Meals Programs on Participants’ Feelings of Loneliness. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc. Sci. 2016 Nov;71(6):1049-1058. PMID: 26613620 Thomas KS, Mor V. (2013) Providing more home-delivered meals is one way to keep older adults with low care needs out of nursing homes. Health Aff (Millwood). 2013 Oct;32(10):1796-1802. PMCID: PMC4001076. Thomas KS, Gadbois EA, Shield RR, Akobundu U, Morris AM, Dosa DM. (2018) “It’s not just a simple meal. t’s so much more”: Interactions between Meals on Wheels Clients and Divers. J Appl Gerontol. 2018 Dec 20:733464818820226 [Epub ahead of print]. PMID: 30569811.

The Best of Aging Fast & Slow: A Recap of Powerful Conversations

Join hosts Drs. Sarah Szanton and Deidra Crews for a special segment as they recap highlights from past episodes on structural resilience. From enlightening dialogues on health equity to inspiring advice from researchers, they revisit key moments and share their reflections on the insights gained. Whether you’re a longtime listener or new to the show, this episode offers peak moments to savor from many perspectives. 

The Power of Social Connection for Community Well-Being

Social connection is vital to community well-being. It fosters support, resilience, and a shared sense of belonging that strengthens both individuals and the community as a whole. In this episode of Aging Fast & Slow, we explore the impact of social connection on community resilience. Dr. Thomas Cudjoe from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine shares research on how isolation affects health and community strength and strategies to foster social connection. Tune in to learn how we can build more connected, resilient communities.REFERENCES: Cudjoe TKM, Boyd CM, Wolff JL, Roth DL. Advance care planning: Social isolation matters. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2020 April. Cudjoe TKM, Kotwal AA. Social distancing amid a crisis in social isolation and loneliness. J Am Geri Soc 2020 May 20. Cudjoe TKM, Roth DL, Szanton SL, Wolff JL, Boyd CM, Thorpe Jr., RJ. The epidemiology of social isolation: National Health & Aging Trends Study. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2020 Jan 1. Cudjoe TKM, Selvakumar S, Chung S, Latkin CA, Roth DL, Thorpe Jr., RJ, Boyd CM. (2021). Getting under the Skin: Social isolation and biological markers in the National Health and Aging Trends Study. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Golden SH, Cudjoe TKM, Galiatsatos P, Brownlee D, Flanagan E, Crews DC, Maruthur N, Brown M, Ashby A, Hellmann DB, Knox T, Anderson ME. A perspective on the Baltimore Freddie Gray riots: Turning tragedy into civic engagement and culture change in an academic department of medicine. Acad Med. 2018 December.

Taste of it! Lessons learned studying Meals on Wheels and other supports for older adults

In this episode of Aging Fast & Slow, we delve into ways to improve the quality of life of older adults needing home- and community-based services. We are joined by Dr. Kali Thomas, Associate Director of Health Services Research in the Center for Equity in Aging at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Dr. Thomas' research spans the long-term services and supports continuum, ranging from in-home services to long-term care in assisted living communities. Together we explore these critical issues and discuss innovative approaches and policies to meet the comprehensive medical and non-medical needs of our aging population.References: Home-Delivered Meals Thomas KS, Parikh R, Zullo AR, Dosa D. (2018) Home-Delivered Meals and Risk of Self-Reported Falls: Results From a Randomized Trial. J Appl Gerontol. 2018 Jan;37(1):41-57. PMID: 27798291. Thomas KS, Smego R, Akobundu U, Dosa D. (2017) Characteristics of Older Adults on Waiting Lists for Meals on Wheels: Identifying Areas for Intervention. J Appl Gerontol. 2017 Oct;36(10):1228-1242. PMCID: PMC4877281. Thomas KS, Akobundu U, Dosa D. (2016) More Than A Meal? A Randomized Control Trial Comparing the Effects of Home-Delivered Meals Programs on Participants’ Feelings of Loneliness. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc. Sci. 2016 Nov;71(6):1049-1058. PMID: 26613620 Thomas KS, Mor V. (2013) Providing more home-delivered meals is one way to keep older adults with low care needs out of nursing homes. Health Aff (Millwood). 2013 Oct;32(10):1796-1802. PMCID: PMC4001076. Thomas KS, Gadbois EA, Shield RR, Akobundu U, Morris AM, Dosa DM. (2018) “It’s not just a simple meal. It’s so much more”: Interactions between Meals on Wheels Clients and Drivers. J Appl Gerontol. 2018 Dec 20:733464818820226 [Epub ahead of print]. PMID: 30569811. Title III State Expenditures on In-Home ServicesThomas KS. (2014) The relationship between Older Americans Act in-home services and low-care residents in nursing homes. J Aging Health. 2014 Mar;26(2):250-260. PMCID: PMC4112387.Veteran-Directed Care / Self-Directed Care Yuan Y, Thomas KS, Frakt AB, Pizer SD, Garrido MM. (2019) Users Of Veteran-Directed Care And Other Purchased Care Have Similar Hospital Use And Costs Over Time. Health Affairs. 2019. 38(6):1037-104569. Thomas KS, Allen SM. (2016) Interagency partnership to deliver Veteran-Directed Home and Community-Based Services: Interviews with Aging and Disability Network agency personnel regarding their experience with partner Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2016;53(5):611-618. PMID: 27898159. Yuan Y, Thomas KS, Van Houtven CH, Price ME, Pizer SD, Frakt AB, Garrido MM. (2022) Fewer potentially avoidable health care events in rural veterans with self-directed care versus other personal care services. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2022 May;70(5):1418-1428. doi: 10.1111/jgs.17656. Epub 2022 Jan 13. PMID: 35026056; PMCID: PMC9106846 Access to Benefits Thomas KS, Corneau E, Van Houtven C, Aron D, Dosa D, Allen SM. (2021) Inequities in Access to VA’s Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit to Finance Veterans’ Long-Term Care. Health Serv Res. 2021 Jun;56(3):389-399. PMID: 33634467; PMCID: PMC8143693. Kennedy KA, Corneau E, Rickard T, Mills WL, Thomas KS. VA Social Workers Identify Factors Predictive of Enrollment and Variability in Veterans’ Access to Aid and Attendance Benefits. J Gerontol Soc Work. 2023 Jul 24:1-21. PMID: 37483074