But she acknowledged that for other older adults, going to the mingle and introducing themselves to strangers might not be so easy. "I think loneliness is sometimes based in fear," Backlund said. Backlund knows the urgency of addressing loneliness and hopes that more people start taking the matter into their own hands. BI has previously spoken to other older adults who found solutions of their own to prevent becoming lonely. Chris Murphy and Bob Casey in December introduced the Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults Act, which would provide funding for organizations to address loneliness among older Americans.

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Persons: Patricia Backlund, wouldn't, Backlund, Vivek Murthy, Murthy, you've, —, That's, let's, he's, Mike Flood, David Trone, Chris Murphy, Bob Casey Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Gig Harbor , Washington