"Better Together" Presented by Jason Burnett, PhD

Social connections play a vital role in our health and quality of life. Without them, we are left to age alone and navigate an uncertain world that seems to change socially, politically, and physically in the blink of an eye. We may be an injury or single loss of a loved one away from social isolation and loneliness which increases our risks for strokes, heart disease, cancer, and death. In this discussion we will cover types of social connections, how unmet social needs can propel us towards illness and how strong social connections can help build resilient and vibrant lives. We will also briefly discuss the role spirituality plays in protecting us against the negative effects of social isolation and loneliness.
Jason Burnett, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Joan and Stanford Alexander Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine at the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston and is the Director of the Texas Elder Abuse and Mistreatment Institute. His emerging research focuses on ensuring meaningful social connections and the health benefits for older adults living with elder mistreatment, self-neglect, and/or stroke. He is currently a steering committee member for the UTHealth Institute on Aging where he serves as the chair of the Carmela and Salvatore Graduate Fellowship Program in Elder Mistreatment, the Harry E. Bovay Jr. Foundation Endowment to Support Geriatric Research and Education, and the UTHRO Endowment for Healthy Aging. Dr. Burnett also serves on several national advisory boards and research committees for elder mistreatment and self-neglect.