Linking the lonely: an exploration of a communication technology designed to support social interaction among older adults

Abstract

This article explores mixed methods data gathered from a pilot of a communication system prototype in the homes of 19 older adults over a period of 10 weeks. The system has been designed to enhance communication among both friends and strangers and has been developed as a possible tool to increase interaction in older adults suffering from social isolation and loneliness. The paper uses remote logging data to inform discussion of how such a technology was received and utilised over time in a home setting. Qualitative data gathered via entry and exit interviews, and weekly checkpoint calls were used to provide deeper insight into patterns and practices identified via the logs.

Transitions in Digital Personhood

“…Burmeister [14] highlights the importance of online communities to older adults for finding and sharing information, for emotional support about shared experiences, and for a sense of belonging. Studies have explored supportive technology to combat social isolation and loneliness [19,49,3], which may be related to physically relocating [34,48,54], or managing pain and chronic illness [8], or to understand perceived barriers to Internet use and online publishing, for example because of older adults' concerns about threats to personal privacy and security [1,32,43,67]. Studies of older adults' Internet use show a relative lack of 'online participatory culture' through social media compared to younger generations [10,27], raising issues and design implications for social inclusion and accessibility.…”

Mediating Asymmetries in Family Communication: Supporting the eInclusion of Older Adults

“…For instance, Cao et al [4] identified design implications for facilitating family communication when its members are located in different time zones. Baecker et al [2], Cornejo et al [7], Garattini et al [10], Judge et al [15], Lindley [18], Muñoz et al [20], and Rodríguez et al [25] have adopted a different approach to dial wit that challenge. They designed specific domestic media spaces where remote family members, particularly older adults, can connect with each other using video-mediated communication and others kinds of messaging mechanisms.…”

Socially Networked or Isolated? Differentiating Older Adults and the Role of Tablets and Television

“…More specifically, when working as a bridge for the adoption of Internet-based services like social applications and services capable of tackling social isolation. Examples of these were: Lindley et al PersonCard concept [19] which allowed for lightweight information to be sent and displayed within an older adult's home using a photo frame enhanced with touch-screen functionalities (much like a Tablet device); Lindley et al situated messaging device called Wayve [20] which was based on the same principles and made use of a device even similar to a Tablet; the Building Bridges project [11], a 12-inch touch screen device in a custom-made stand (the same principles as a Tablet) and a built-in phone handset, which was built with the goal of providing opportunistic social interaction among old adults who did not know each other before and which resulted in a very simplified use and in new social interactions (even outside the system); the Emnesh [29] which took advantage of the Internet connectivity and iPad features like an in-built camera and a virtual keyboard, for both capturing, exchanging and controlling photographs and messages around the screen and enabled older users to build rapport and find common interests; and Cornejo et al ambient SNS called Tlatoque [7] based on a multi-touch screen resembling a tablet, which communicated to Facebook to expose photographs in the user's home enabling a more natural interaction with the social information and contributing to enriching in-person encounters.…”