Mapping Social Connectedness Across the Chicago Area
Problem
Older adults face increasing risks of social isolation and loneliness, which are linked to serious health outcomes.
As people age, changes such as retirement, loss of social networks, and reduced mobility can lead to social isolation and loneliness. These experiences are associated with heightened risks of depression, anxiety, dementia, cardiovascular disease, and even premature mortality. Community-level factors like neighborhood safety, access to public spaces, and opportunities for engagement play a critical role in shaping social wellness. However, there is limited data on how these factors vary across neighborhoods and affect older adults differently. Mather Institute, a thought leader in aging research and innovation, wants to fill this gap by generating actionable insights that can guide targeted interventions and support healthier aging communities.
Solution
NORC is conducting a large-scale survey and developing an interactive map measuring and visualizing social wellness and connectability across neighborhoods.
Mather has partnered with NORC to survey a representative sample of older adults (ages 55+) in every Chicago neighborhood and three nearby suburbs using a mixed-mode approach (web and inbound phone). The survey, co-designed with Mather Institute, captures data on social connections, perceived support, loneliness, and community belonging, as well as perceptions of their neighborhood.
In parallel, NORC is developing an interactive social wellness and community connectability map that integrates survey results with publicly available data like housing, economic, and environmental indicators to provide a comprehensive view of neighborhood-level social wellness. NORC will combine original survey data with publicly available administrative data into the map, to share subjective and objective insights into the social landscape of older adults in Chicagoland.
Result
The project will produce actionable data and tools to guide targeted interventions and support healthier communities.
Survey responses and other data will inform the development of neighborhood-level composite scores of individual social wellness and community connectability. The final deliverable will include a user-friendly interactive map that highlights neighborhoods of high and low social connectedness. These tools will enable Mather Institute and aging service providers, funders, and policymakers to identify communities with the greatest need and implement targeted interventions to promote social wellness.
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Project Leads
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Nell Compernolle
Senior Research ScientistProject Director -
Ned English
Associate Director -
Lekha Venkataraman
Senior Research Director -
Ryan Buechel
Senior Research Director -
Martha McRoy
Senior Research Methodologist -
Peter Herman
Senior Research Methodologist
“This innovative study provides novel insight into a timely and increasingly prevalent phenomenon—loneliness and social isolation—positioning Mather and its partners as leaders in the design and implementation of targeted interventions tailored to local communities.”
