The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently established the ‘Commission on Social Connection’ pointing out that loneliness and social isolation are emerging as a significant public health concern. WHO highlights that 5-15% of adolescents are grappling with loneliness, and approximately 1 in 4 older adults are experiencing social isolation. The rise in loneliness and social isolation can adversely affect individual wellbeing, as well as the community health, and thus it is crucial to develop initiatives that enhance social connectedness in people. The World Social Report predicts a surge in the global population of aged adults, a cohort particularly susceptible to the detrimental effects of loneliness, from 761 million in 2021 to 1.6 billion by 2050. 

Considering the negative impacts of loneliness on health and well-being, it is crucial to prioritize effective strategies for addressing social isolation experienced by older adults. We attempted to find out such evidence-based strategies by carrying out a reflexive thematic analysis of the research papers published in the last 2.5 years in the field of social connectedness. By following Braun & Clarke (2006) guidelines for reflexive thematic analysis, we identified three themes entitled as (1) Social prescription, (2) Social scaffolding, and (3) Enhancing social connectedness through technology. These themes highlight various strategies that are vital for fostering social connectedness in older adults, and thereby improving their health and well-being.

Keywords: Social Connectedness, Older Adults, Social Prescription, Social Scaffolding, Technology.