Social connections play a critical role in our overall well-being. To thrive, we need meaningful interactions with others, and neglecting social health can lead to broader health problems. Unfortunately, social connections are often overlooked when considering the factors that influence health. To address this issue, Select Health—a wholly owned subsidiary of Intermountain Health—offers a benefit called Papa in its Medicare Advantage plans that provides important social support and companion care to help older adults socialize.
Papa’s screened and trained companions, called Papa Pals, bring help directly to the doorstep and often come from the same communities as the members they serve. They offer a variety of services to make life easier for Select Health Medicare members:
· Company: Chat, play board games or enjoy a walk.
· transport: Help with doctor’s visits, running errands, picking up groceries and medications, or shopping.
· Tasks at home: Help with meal preparation, light surface cleaning, laundry, gardening, or pet care.
· Technical support: Help setting up computers or social media to stay in touch with friends or family.
Alicia Santillo, Healthy Connections Program Manager at Select Health, works with members who need additional support in the healthcare system and connects them with appropriate resources to ensure they can live the healthiest lives possible. She says she has seen a positive impact on members who receive support from Papa Pals.
“As we age, we may feel more isolated than when we were younger, making us more vulnerable to social isolation and related health problems like cognitive decline,” Santillo said. “Meaningful conversations with others can help us live longer, develop a greater sense of purpose, and potentially improve cognitive function. That’s why resources like Papa are so important.”
A current epidemiological study of nearly 29,000 Medicare Advantage beneficiaries expressed significant concerns about loneliness and social isolation. Sixty-three percent reported feeling lonely, with 22 percent experiencing severe loneliness—a doubling of the rate since 2020. In addition, 18 percent of beneficiaries reported having no one to turn to in an urgent health situation.
After undergoing surgery in 2022, 68-year-old Diana Johnson, a member of Select Health Medicare, received Papa support. She was assigned a Papa Pal who not only helped her with daily tasks but also provided her with much-needed companionship. Inspired by her positive experience, Diana became a Papa Pal herself.
“Papa Pals really helped me when I needed support, so I thought, why not return the favor? It’s become the best job in retirement,” said Diana. She has made over 550 visits and 39 participants in the program have requested her as their preferred Papa Pal, including 77-year-old Linda Rich, who has struggled with numerous health issues.
At first Diana helped Linda with housework, but their relationship quickly grew stronger. They bonded over conversations about family, faith, fashion and cooking. Although Linda had her family close by, it was important to her to have someone who understood her struggles and desire for independence. Diana’s support not only contributed to Linda’s physical recovery, but also gave her emotional strength and companionship.
“It’s important to have someone your age to talk to,” Linda said. “This relationship has made a huge difference. I also really appreciate that with the support of Papa Pals I can be more independent and not always have to ask my children for help.”
After battling her illness for so long, Linda says she’s been feeling better in the last month. She credits her recent improvement to her dad, Pal Diana, and her dog, who have motivated her to stay active.
Diana finds it inspiring to see Linda’s progress after witnessing her toughest moments.
Linda and Diana’s story reflects the experiences of many other people who use the Papa Benefit. randomized controlled trial of chronically ill Medicare Advantage members, 69% of members reported a significant reduction in loneliness after using Papa’s services and 45% reported an increase in days feeling physically and mentally healthy, highlighting the importance of social health to overall wellbeing.
“Social connections are not just about fun; they are the foundation of our well-being,” says Santillo. “They provide us with support, understanding and a sense of belonging – all important ingredients for a healthy, happy life.”
Select health members may qualify for up to 120 hours of Papa services per year, depending on the plan. For more information or to get started, call 888-452-4553 every day between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. local time. Papas also offers Member Resource Center Visit the website for more details on what to expect on your first visit, what tasks a Papa Pal can help you with, safety policies, and more.
About Intermountain Health
The headquarters are in Utah, with additional offices in six states and the Western United States. Intermountain Health is a not-for-profit system of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, medical groups with approximately 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a health insurance division called Select Health with over one million members, and other health services. Intermountain helps people live the healthiest lives possible and is committed to improving the health of the population. The company is widely recognized as a leader in transforming health care by applying evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For more information or updates, visit https://intermountainhealthcare.org/news.
