Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40699191›Full record

ArticleJournal of the American Geriatrics Society2025

Recent Innovations in Peer Programs for Socially Isolated Older Adults: Implications for Public Health Emergency Preparedness.

Ashwin A Kotwal, Shannon Fuller, Katrina Hough, Nandini Singh, Soe Han Tha, Janet Myers, Daniel Hill, Richard Zevin, Diane E Meier, Carla M Perissinotto

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In one paragraph

Article in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Ashwin A KotwalDivision of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-6137-8512
Shannon FullerDivision of Prevention Science, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
Katrina HoughDivision of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
Nandini SinghDivision of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
Soe Han ThaDivision of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
Janet MyersDivision of Prevention Science, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
Daniel HillCurry Senior Center, San Francisco, California, USA.
Richard ZevinRichmond Area Multi-Services, San Francisco, California, USA.
Diane E MeierBrookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Carla M PerissinottoDivision of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.

Funding

Loneliness and Social Isolation Among Older Adults with and without Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia in the Last Years of LifeK23AG065438 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · PI KOTWAL, ASHWIN AJIT · 2020 to 2024
$809k
California Department of Public HealthNIA NIH HHS K23 AG065438NIA NIH HHS K23AG065438
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPeer programs, which pair individuals of similar age or life experience, can address complex psychosocial needs, loneliness, and social isolation among diverse older adults. However, these services were heavily disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined which pandemic-era innovations were sustained across six peer programs and identified core features of peer programs relevant to future public health emergency preparedness.

methodsIn this mixed-methods study, we first thematically analyzed 67 qualitative interviews (August, 2023-April, 2024) with diverse stakeholders, including older adult participants (n = 24), peer specialists (n = 12), program leaders across six peer programs (n = 12), and experts in aging, public health, and peer programs (n = 19) using a rapid assessment process. Qualitative findings were compared with quantitative trajectories of loneliness and depression among peer program participants over 6-month intervals (May 2020-April 2024).

resultsPeer programs have been involved in ongoing efforts to help older adults recover from prolonged loneliness and isolation related to pandemic restrictions. Two pandemic-era innovations were sustained: (1) hybrid communication (in-person, virtual, and telephone) that expanded reach, and (2) new partnerships with health and city services. However, "peer drift," where peers roles can become diluted as they are asked to do more, emerged as a challenge, complicating the consistency and effectiveness of programs. Core features of peer programs identified as relevant to future public health emergency preparedness included: (1) fostering trust with marginalized communities, (2) flexibility in responding to urgent public health needs, and (3) complementary expertise to clinical teams. Quantitative data demonstrated diverse trajectories of loneliness and depression for participants over multiple years of the public health emergency, with interviews indicating how peers helped older adults navigate these challenges.

conclusionPeer programs have continued to leverage hybrid communication and expanded health and city partnerships to meet the needs of socially isolated older adults. Results further suggest their potential to be integrated into future public health emergency responses.

Indexed as

Civil DefenseCOVID-19Peer GroupPublic HealthSocial IsolationAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHumansLonelinessMalePandemicsQualitative ResearchSARS-CoV-2COVID‐19 pandemiclonelinesspeer programpublic health emergency preparednesssocial isolation

Identifiers

PMID40699191
PMCPMC12313167

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.