U.S. News & World Report Survey Inspired Action
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A year ago, IntegraCare received results from a third-party survey of its residents and their families. Among other questions, it asked residents whether they felt lonely.
One view of the results was favorable. IntegraCare’s residents reported only half the rate of loneliness versus the national benchmark: for every 100 residents, 13 reported loneliness vs. 27 nationally.
Someone else had a different view: Belinda McQuaide, IntegraCare’s Chief Operating Officer. “I felt terrible for those 13%. To live in a community but feel lonely? We can do something about that,” she said.
The survey was related to U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Senior Living” awards. McQuaide applauded the IntegraCare communities that won the awards announced in 2024. Then she asked all communities to look past the headlines, dig into the survey results, and find ways to reduce loneliness among residents.
The communities spent the next 12 months working on it.
A year later, residents were surveyed again and results came back: loneliness dropped by over 30%, down to 9 residents in 100 reporting loneliness. Residents in IntegraCare communities are now two-thirds less likely to be lonely than the typical American senior.
Here’s how they did it.
Taking Action
The survey, run by Activated Insights, asked each resident about their loneliness. It used the UCLA 3-question loneliness scale, an international, research-backed standard index for measuring loneliness. Details here. The survey allowed residents to voluntarily share their names, enabling IntegraCare to reach out and work directly with those who reported feeling lonely.
“Each resident’s situation was unique, and we knew a one-size-fits-all approach wouldn’t work,” McQuaide said. “Our team developed personalized plans tailored to individual needs. By understanding the root causes of loneliness — such as family dynamics, the loss of a spouse, or adjusting to life in a new environment — we were able to provide targeted support.”
One resident had shared a close bond with his son but began feeling disconnected when his son moved to another town, leading to fewer in-person visits.
“Our team facilitated weekly FaceTime sessions with his son, providing a tablet specifically for this purpose,” McQuaide said. “He would tell his son what he’d done that week. He began participating in activities and forming friendships because he was excited to share his experiences with his son on the next FaceTime session. It motivated him to engage more with his community.”
Another resident had been very involved with her local YMCA. So, an IntegraCare community’s activity director helped her develop an exercise class of her own for her fellow residents. The resident, who had reported loneliness in the previous survey, enjoyed the opportunity to showcase her skills and help others. She also opened the door for friendships with other women in the community.
For another resident, the loss of a spouse had created a deep sense of isolation. “Recognizing the need for support, we introduced grief counseling services, available to him and others,” McQuaide said. “These sessions became a safe space for residents to process their emotions and find a path forward.”
When another resident reported loneliness, the local team determined that she struggled because no one else spoke her native language. So, several team members asked her to teach them Italian. Then another resident joined. Ultimately, she led regular language classes for the community, gaining friends and enjoying a sense of accomplishment.
“Every single person we had that professed high on the loneliness scale received individualized attention,” McQuaide said. “It was almost never about being in the community. It was about personal circumstances, like missing a family member or grieving a loss.”
Moving Forward
“We are proud to operate award-winning communities but we can’t stop at accolades,” said McQuaide. “Our resident surveys give use important feedback to continuously improve.”
On April 15, U.S. News recognized 11 IntegraCare communities in its 2025 Best Senior Living ratings. Once again, the leadership team at IntegraCare will reflect on that accomplishment, but also use the survey results to improve the lives of residents and team members.
IntegraCare’s reducing the number of residents who identified as being lonely certainly provides a blueprint for future successes.
“There’s always more to do. I’d love for ‘loneliness’ to be 0%,” McQuaide said. “Reducing loneliness to 9% is a step in the right direction, and we’re determined to keep working on it.”
For more information, contact Belinda McQuaide, IntegraCare Chief Operating Officer, at bmcquaide@integracare.com or call 724.940.5544.