An estimated 5.1 million Americans aged 65 years or older currently has Alzheimer’s disease, the most well-known form of cognitive impairment. And this number is expected to rise to 15 million by 2060. Cognitive Decline is associated $11 billion in Medicare Spending, representing an increase of 44% in medical costs compared with adults who do not suffer from mild cognitive decline.
Extensive data demonstrates a correlation between engaging in social activities and staving off the debilitating effects of dementia. In fact, a study out of Chicago found that social interaction can decrease the rate of cognitive decline in people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s by as much as 47 percent per year.
In this respect, the social and physical interactions enabled by Element3 Health’s GroupWorks platform serve as powerful counter to the debilitating effects of dementia and could lead to a reduction in healthcare spending by $3,500 per person per year or more in the treatment of dementia alone.

Social isolation, cognitive reserve, and cognition in healthy older people

American Geriatrics Society and National Institute on Aging Bench‐to‐Bedside Conference: Sensory Impairment and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults

Association of Social Engagement with Brain Volumes Assessed by Structural MRI

Late Life Social Activity and Cognitive Decline in Old Age

Impact of social relationships on Alzheimer’s memory impairment: mechanistic studies
The link between physical activity and health is well understood. What is harder to appreciate is why so many Americans remain sedentary. For some, inadequate levels of exercise is a result of injury or disability. For others, it’s a matter of timing and resources. At Element3 Health we seek to address the entire mosaic of barriers to exercise, getting people moving to the degree that they can and helping them to reduce their risks of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other chronic ailments.
A Medicare study found that by engaging in fitness programs and physical activity, individuals are able to reduce their annual spending by between $500 and $1,186. While gym memberships help get people moving, 80 percent of those eligible for free gym membership programs don’t take advantage of the benefit. For many of these people, GroupWorks offers the opportunity to engage in activities they love with like-minded adults. By tapping into people’s passions, Element3’s GroupWorks platform seeks to provide a more attractive alternative to the gym.
With clubs as varied as hiking and biking to pickleball and line-dancing, GroupWorks gives adults over the age of 50 access to physical activities that resonate with them. This increases activity levels while creating social networks – resulting in better health and reduced healthcare spending.

5 of the Best Physical Activities for Senior Citizens

The Amazing Benefits of Tai Chi for Seniors
Real-Time Associations Between Engaging in Leisure and Daily Health and Well-Being

The Experience and Meaning of Physical Activity in Assisted Living Facility Residents

Economic Impact of Moderate-Vigorous Physical Activity Among Those with and without Established Cardiovascular Disease: 2012 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.
