Why belonging matters, belonging is the deep human need and feeling of being accepted, valued, and included as an authentic part of a group, place or community.

It goes beyond just fitting in; it means you are truly seen and cared for. Cornell University

Key Parts of Belonging

• Acceptance: Being welcomed for who you truly are without having to change yourself.
• Connection: Sharing safe, close, and supportive ties with other people or a place.
• Contribution: Feeling that your presence and voice matter to the group
• You feel at home, you and your neighbors care for each other
• Your voice matters
• You fit in, be suited to, have a rightful place, have a home, be part of a group

To address one of the many problems of belonging is the problem of social isolation and loneliness in rural areas especially, Elevance Health Inc. has partnered with USAging to develop and measure community-based, intensive support focused on the social determinants of health that affect older adults and their caregivers in select rural communities. Through this work, USAging and Elevance Health are seeking to increase awareness of the important role that nutrition, physical activity, social engagement, community support, health screening and vaccinations play in the overall health and well-being of older adults living in rural areas. This is why belonging matters, not just in rural areas, also in our own communities in our cities.

To achieve this goal, USAging and Elevance Health will connect older adults and caregivers innovative programs and services offered by Area Agencies on Aging, and will provide funding for new technology and programming, with the hope of connecting older adults and caregivers to their communities and improve their overall health and well-being.

Social isolation and loneliness have increasingly been recognized as critical and growing public health issues, with the US Surgeon General declaring loneliness and isolation a national epidemic in 2023.1 Older adults are at a higher risk of social isolation and loneliness resulting from factors such as retirement, experiencing health issues and/or mobility limitations, lack of transportation access and having family and friends move or pass away.

Why belonging matters – when someone is socially isolated health deteriorates , one’s life is shortened. Socially isolated older adults face a 29 percent increased risk of early mortality, which is comparable to mortality rates associated with smoking, obesity and air pollution. Beyond the negative mental and physical health effects, social isolation and loneliness also have economic consequences. Lack of social contacts among older adults is associated with an estimated $6.7 billion in additional Medicare spending annually, which is comparable to Medicare spending on chronic conditions.

Communities must not only adapt to the rapid growth of their older adult population, but also to the extended longevity this population will enjoy. All sectors of the community—city planners, businesses, faith-based organizations, economic development corporations, neighborhood and other civic organizations, education systems and community centers—must integrate the needs and contributions of people throughout their lifespan into their work as a matter of course, not as an afterthought.

A Livable Community ensures that social supports are in place so that people can age in the right place in the community. Right place is where you want to be placed, not where society or your family say you should be.

What is the meaning of true belonging?

It is the courage to show up, imperfect and honest, as ourselves. Brené Brown says it beautifully: “True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are. But it’s also the courage to stand alone, and to belong to yourself above all else.”

The Kindness Village is about starting with belonging.. we are pre-funding to build the 1st Village.

Give if you can.. please share..

Kind regards,

Mari-Lyn