Papa

Did you know that over 1 in 5 people worldwide feel lonely a lot of the time? In Gallup’s inaugural measure of global loneliness, over 23% of people said they felt loneliness “a lot of the day yesterday”, even as global emotional health saw a rebound in 2023. 🌎 Loneliness is more than just a feeling; it profoundly affects many aspects of our lives. In this survey, those who felt lonely were more likely to experience every other negative feeling the poll tracked: sadness, worry, stress, anger, and even physical pain. Our own State of Social Health Report echoes these findings: 👤 1 in 5 Medicare Advantage members have no one to turn to in a time of need and loneliness is prevalent 🤒 Loneliness leads to poorer whole health across all domains and is associated with more unmet social needs and a higher likelihood of over-utilizing the emergency department Acknowledging the critical role social health plays in overall health and well-being is the first step to bridging the gap. By incorporating social health and human connection into broader initiatives, we can work towards a healthier, more connected world. Learn more: 💡 Gallup, “Over 1 in 5 People Worldwide Feel Lonely a Lot”: https://lnkd.in/eSWZCTmZ 💡 #Papa’s State of Social Health Report: https://bit.ly/3zJM4ou

Did you know July is #DisabilityPrideMonth? It’s a time for us to recognize the achievements, experiences, and struggles of people with disabilities, while commemorating the anniversary of the legislation that broke down barriers to inclusion in society. This month, it’s especially important to remember that everyone’s circumstances are unique and not all disabilities are visible. At Papa, we’re proud to partner with health plans to help make the lives of their members with varying disabilities a little bit easier. Whether it’s changing light bulbs or smoke detector batteries, picking up groceries, assisting around the house, or providing transportation, #PapaPals are here to offer personalized support tailored to each individual’s needs—when, where, and how it’s needed most. 💙 Let’s come together to ensure this community receives the respect, support, and inclusion they deserve: https://lnkd.in/eJz8KxYR

Trust is the greatest asset we have in health care. 🏥 Our compassionate #PapaPals build trusted relationships with members over time and act as eyes and ears in the home, often uncovering needs that providers, health plans, and sometimes even members’ own families are unaware of. Last year, we surveyed 16 highly engaged Papa Pals, and: • 88% said they believe their regular members trust them “completely.” • 94% said they “sometimes” to “always” see unmet emotional support needs among the members they meet with most. • 1 in 4 said they “often” or “always” notice a risk to the health, safety, or well-being of their members while in the home. 🌟 Here’s how one #PapaPal we spoke with put it, showing just how valuable trusted, in-home social support can be. Learn more about the insights garnered through this survey: https://lnkd.in/eHVwrBFw

Happy 4th of July from your friends at Papa! Whether you’re celebrating with family, friends, or #PapaPals, we hope you have a safe and fun-filled day! 🇺🇸🎆

With increased longevity and shrinking family networks, more and more people are likely to find themselves in the "sandwich generation”, caring for aging parents, children, and sometimes even grandparents or other aging loved ones simultaneously. These dual – and often competing – caregiving responsibilities can take a significant physical, emotional, and financial toll. By acknowledging these challenges and offering support, we can help alleviate some of the burdens caregivers face. That’s why #Papa partners with health plans and employers to provide much-needed respite and peace of mind through our network of #PapaPals, including for caregivers who can’t always be nearby. Learn more about these rising challenges and the need for action in this HuffPost article: https://lnkd.in/eft9DW3q

📍 Baltimore, get ready! We’ll be onsite at AcademyHealth's Annual Research Meeting, presenting insights on the correlation between transportation barriers and loneliness among older adults. Catch our poster presentation on July 1st as we share our findings, highlight implications for both policy and practice, and discuss strategies that can fill the gaps. 💡Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/e5_vctbJ #ARM24

“Technology can be a wonderful tool for us to build social connection, but we need to recognize it as a supplement. It is not a replacement for human interaction”, says Pete Bombaci, founder of the GenWell Project. In his interview with Dan Pontefract, Pete advocates for a more balanced approach, highlighting the dual nature of technology—how it can both connect and isolate us. In a world increasingly driven by digital interactions, it’s crucial to remember the importance of genuine human connection in our everyday lives. Coming off of #GlobalLonelinessAwarenessWeek, learn how we can all play a part in contributing to a more connected society: 💡Forbes: https://lnkd.in/eRyZg-CE

It’s crucial for supplemental benefits today to demonstrate clear value for both members and their health plan partners. This is a concept we understand well at Papa, having created and scaled a category-defining model—and we continually invest in research to further validate and inform our approach. Like our latest claims analysis that showed Medicare Advantage members who engaged in at least one #Papa visit were associated with a 9% reduction in medical costs. And the impact doesn’t stop there. 🚀 Members who engaged in more Papa visits saw even greater cost reductions, showing the potentially exponential impact long-term connection can have on an individual’s health, including: • 19% reduction in medical costs for members who average more than two Papa visits per month • 30% reduction in medical costs for members who average more than three Papa visits per month 📈 As plans look to enhance their offerings following the recent #CMS Star Rating recalculations, further investing in companion care is proven to maximize impact for your members. Learn how Papa can reduce healthcare costs and improve outcomes for your plan: https://lnkd.in/ejMf_But

Meet Stephanie, a registered nurse and devoted #PapaPal, who has completed over 1,500 Papa visits. 🤯 By visiting the same members regularly, she builds deep connections and trust, making them feel like family—the magic of being a #PreferredPal! ✨ Did you know about 60% of our visits today occur between members and their Preferred Pals? Routine visits together pave the way for meaningful, long-lasting relationships that benefit both members and Papa Pals alike. 💙 Read Stephanie’s story to learn how she brightens her members’ days—and how they brighten hers right back: https://lnkd.in/e-HdAmK9

We’re so pleased to see our friend Kasley Killam, MPH shifting the conversation on loneliness to cover #SocialHealth more broadly. In our view, social health is one of four essential dimensions of whole health, alongside physical health, mental health, and purpose. “With so much attention on loneliness and the pressing need for more progress, it’s time to appoint the same level of importance to social health that we’ve given to physical and mental health and illuminate the path forward out of the darkness we’ve been stuck in for far too long,” Kasley wrote. We couldn’t agree more. Learn why it’s time to reorient from reactively responding to loneliness to proactively promoting social health in Kasley’s latest byline in STAT: https://lnkd.in/ecJiMQUh