'StoryRx' Initiative Prescribes Storytelling For Older Adults: 'Boosts Survival Odds By 50%'
In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General spotlighted a silent epidemic -- loneliness, especially affecting older adults. Enter Life Story Club, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit blending storytelling with healthcare to forge connections and combat isolation. Imagine logging onto a Zoom call where you're asked, "What was the greatest historical event you lived through?" As stories unfold, bonds deepen, transforming strangers into friends. It's more than just storytelling; it's "social prescribing," a groundbreaking healthcare approach. With 82% of members feeling less lonely and 93% experiencing boosted moods, real change is evident. Dr. Jennifer Wong, the executive director, captures the essence, "No one should face aging alone." Participants like Ragaa M. express it best: "Waiting every week for Friday keeps me alive. I have so many stories to share!" By fusing virtual meetings with in-person storytelling events, Life Story Club turns isolation into celebration, helping participants live longer, fuller lives. As participant Michael Gaines puts it, "Life Story Club is beautiful."
