Social isolation and the role of AgeTech in a post-COVID world

Clayton, David A.; Astell, Arlene

doi:10.1177/08404704221112023

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Traditional approaches to tackling loneliness favour befriending and social groups but the Covid-19 pandemic, with its enforced social isolation and movement of many vital services online, highlighted the potential and importance of digital technology ( Clayton and Astell, 2022 ). However, the oldest-old adults may be disproportionately excluded from accessing internet-based resources ( Friemel, 2016 ).…”

Section: The Problem: Loneliness Among the Oldest-oldmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Like another human being in the room”: a community case study of smart speakers to reduce loneliness in the oldest-old

Astell,

Clayton

2024

Front. Psychol.

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This community case study examined the potential benefits of smart speakers to tackle loneliness in the oldest old adults living in supported accommodation. The program was established as a collaboration between the supported accommodation provider and a technology company to explore the feasibility of smart speakers to alleviate resident loneliness. Loneliness in later life often accompanies a shrinking social circle, loss of a spouse or increased disability. People aged 85 years of age and over are increasingly likely to experience these life events, leading to an increased risk of social isolation and loneliness. Five older people, mean age 90 years of age, who resided in supported accommodation, were given a smart speaker for 8 weeks to examine their experience with the voice assistant. The experiences of the five older adults are explored as case studies, with each person interviewed both before and after receiving the smart speaker. All five valued their smart speaker, recognised its potential for tackling loneliness, and wanted to keep it. The three most lonely individuals reported that their smart speaker made them feel less lonely and isolated through two mechanisms: (i) creating a presence and (ii) having some control over their situation. Although only a small study, these experiences suggest providing smart speakers for lonely and isolated oldest-old people, could be one way to help combat loneliness in community settings.

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Section: The Problem: Loneliness Among the Oldest-oldmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Like another human being in the room”: a community case study of smart speakers to reduce loneliness in the oldest-old

Astell,

Clayton

2024

Front. Psychol.

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“…(Smarr et al, 2012). This may be attributable to concerns about social isolation and loneliness if technology is perceived to replace in person interaction with professional and familial caregivers (Clayton and Astell, 2022).…”

Section: Key Message Two: Agetech Should Solve a Real Problemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, where technology is viewed as replacing a human resource, replacing in person interactions, or increasing workload, then there is increased hesitancy to embrace that technology. This may be attributable to perceptions that accepting technology may be a gateway to social isolation (Clayton and Astell, 2022).…”

Section: Key Message Three: Agetech Should Complement and Support Exi...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Technology to support aging in place: key messages for policymakers and funders

Genge,

McNeil,

Debergue

et al. 2023

Front. Psychol.

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AgeTech, a subset of the health technology industry, uses technology to support healthy aging, and support care partners and health professionals to improve quality of life for aging adults. By enhancing and adapting alternative care approaches through emerging technologies, it is possible to enable and extend the ability for older adults to safely age in place within their own homes, improve care experiences, and/or decrease long-term care costs/needs. With the rapid development and proliferation of AgeTech into the consumer market, it is paramount for policymakers and funders to ensure that AgeTech solutions can be leveraged to support older adults to age well in place. This paper highlights five key messages for policymakers and funders drawing on experiences from Canada. First, it is essential to embrace a life course perspective on aging, recognizing the heterogeneity of older adults who experience diverse and evolving needs. AgeTech should adapt as needs and capacities evolve. Second, AgeTech should solve a real problem. Technology must be well aligned to the needs and preferences of older adults to be impactful. Third, health related AgeTech should empower, enhance, or support existing health care services, while recognizing the value of human interactions. In-person interactions can provide meaningful connection and important health data which should be enhanced not replaced. Fourth, the establishment and ongoing fostering of authentic partnerships to inform, co-create and co-design AgeTech solutions is key to developing successful products. Finally, policymakers and funders have an important role to play in enabling accelerated design, development and testing to meet current and future needs.

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Social isolation and the role of AgeTech in a post-COVID world

Cited by 2 publications

References 25 publications

“Like another human being in the room”: a community case study of smart speakers to reduce loneliness in the oldest-old

“Like another human being in the room”: a community case study of smart speakers to reduce loneliness in the oldest-old

Technology to support aging in place: key messages for policymakers and funders

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