Michael M. Byrd on Solving Problems and Risks of Isolation and Loneliness in Caring for Older Adults

Local entrepreneur Michael M. Byrd endeavors to solve a problem identified by the National Academies of Sciences:

“Approximately one-quarter of community-dwelling Americans aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated, and a significant portion of adults in the United States report feeling lonely. People who are 50 years of age and older are more likely to experience many of the risks factors that can cause or exacerbate social isolation or loneliness, such as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, or sensory impairments.”

Michael Byrd founded Hannah’s Adult Day Health Care to provide a safe, secure, healthy environment for adults during the day while their caregivers work, rest, or carry out other responsibilities. Adult day care services are needed to provide social and some health services to adults who need supervised care in a safe place outside the home during the day. They also afford caregivers respite from the demanding responsibilities of caregiving.

Mr. Byrd’s community service has included tutoring at the W.E.B. Dubois Learning Center, membership in the National Black United Front, a 2-year term on the Kansas City Missouri School Board, and service with the Greater Kansas City Black History Study Group, the local chapter of Carter G. Woodson’s Association for the Study of African American Life and History.

Urban Connections host and producer, Donna Morrow Wolfe

Urban Connections co-host, Karen E. Griffin

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