It鈥檚 10 a.m. on a Friday, and the gym inside Friendly House in Mansfield is buzzing as a dozen or so seniors laugh and follow the steps to the Electric Slide.
This event is a favorite offering from the , which seeks to reduce isolation and loneliness among people over 55.
Tending to participants' needs and trying out an occasional step of her own is Deborah Wherry Bey, the program's leader.
鈥淲e do technology, book clubs, we went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, we went to Motown, the Amish country, we read books,鈥� Bey says. 鈥淲e try to use the creative muscle too."
The seniors in Mansfield have embraced the program, she says, with many building friendships outside the program.
鈥淪ay for instance, Ms. Jarvis didn't come,鈥� Bey says. 鈥淭he seniors would get on the phone, 鈥楢re you okay?' It gets you out of the house.鈥�
Impacts of loneliness
iConnect is one of several similar programs across Northeast Ohio designed to combat loneliness in elderly people. While some studies have shown seniors are less lonely than young adults, a 2025 found that 30% of North Americans over 60 report regular feelings of loneliness. Making social connections can the risk of health conditions like heart disease, stroke, depression and dementia.
Emotional connections are vital for anyone's health. But as people go through life 鈥� getting married, raising children and progressing at work 鈥� people often leave friendships by the wayside, says Eva Kahana, a sociology professor at Case Western Reserve University.
鈥淭hose people who do not have a close set of associates are going to be very lonely,鈥� Kahana says. 鈥淎nd it's much more difficult to establish new friendships in old age.鈥�
Changing demographics and policies
More than 20% of Northeast Ohioans are 65 and older, and that figure is expected to rise. As the older demographic grows in Northeast Ohio and nationally, caring for both the physical and emotional needs of the elderly will become increasingly challenging, says Howard Gleckman, a nonresident fellow at the Urban Institute.
鈥�(It) used to be there were seven people of caregiving age for every one person who needed care,鈥� Gleckman says. 鈥淣ow it's four. And in another couple of decades, it's going to be three. So there's just not enough people out there to take care of those older adults.鈥�
The caregiver shortage is even more pronounced in rural counties such as Richland. The older population there is 28%, higher than the statewide average, with many young people leaving for better economic opportunities in bigger cities.
What鈥檚 next?
Social groups such as iConnect can help 鈥� but they aren鈥檛 available everywhere. And even where they do exist, they don't reach people with social anxiety or mobility issues.
What's more, according to Bey, the group is having trouble attracting one particular demographic: men.
鈥淲e can't get a lot of males to participate,鈥� Bey says. 鈥淎nd that is sad, because we鈥檇 have them come in and talk about your heart, your kidneys, everything. They don't like to talk about that.鈥�
One thing that may help expand the program's reach, Bey says, is a planned partnership with the local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Seniors will pair off with young people to provide mentorship and participate in joint activities.
The hope is that Mansfield鈥檚 youth will build relationships with its elderly, to combat the loneliness that studies show is on the rise among people of all age groups.
The idea for this story came from 精东影业鈥檚 commitment to engaged journalism, telling stories with people and communities across Northeast Ohio. If you have an idea, call or text us at 216-916-6090.
