British writer and theologian C.S. Lewis once said: “Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and more difficult to bear.” With all the attention on mental health and well-being, communities are trying to find ways to address this issue, which has only worsened after COVID-19.
But addressing loneliness, especially among older adults, requires a targeted and individual solution, because the experience of loneliness is both collective and personal.
““After several years of running Teeniors, there's one thing I know for sure: the main service we provide isn't technical support. It's a human relationship.”“
Today, more people live alone than ever before; About one-third of Americans are 65 or older, and half of those are over 85. We've heard it all, from the dangers of isolation and loneliness to the health of older people to loneliness shortening life expectancy in a similar way to smoking 15 cigarettes. day.
Related: “There are a lot of lonely people out there.” Is loneliness killing you?
When it comes to digital and technology solutions, new research shows that ICT-based tools and interventions can effectively provide social support and improve mental health in older people.
See also: The “Loneliness Loop”: How America's culture of busyness can increase isolation
Effect of socialization
More specifically, intergenerational mentoring between college students and seniors (sometimes known as digital buddy programs) can help bridge the digital divide for seniors. These connections are paramount, and strengthening them can impact older adults' mental health, from depression to health-related quality of life and beyond.
“If there's one thing we constantly hear from our seniors, it's that socialization is critical to well-being,” said Trish Lopez, a 2021 Aging Influencer and CEO of Teeniors, an award-winning company that houses teens. . And young people who help older people learn technology through one-on-one personal training.
“After several years of running Teeniors, there's one thing I know for sure: The main service we provide is not technical support. It's a human relationship,” she continued. “And the level at which we recognize that, and stay true to it, is the level at which we continue to succeed.”
If there were more digital buddy programs, this could reduce the effects of loneliness among older people. But the age stereotype that this demographic does not trust technology, which is far from the truth, may be an obstacle to the emergence of these programs.
Another hurdle is that companies need to take older people and their needs into account more effectively when designing products.
Studies have shown that although older adults may benefit most from these technological advances, they often have the least access to them.
is reading: It's All in the Family: Multigenerational living, once the norm for many Americans, is making a comeback
Telehealth and more
The research is clear: Previous data showed that in 2021, seniors were among the top three groups that used telehealth the most during the pandemic. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, telehealth use has increased with age, with more than 40% of adults ages 65 and older participating compared to 29.4% of those ages 18 to 29.
Ultimately, seniors now rely more on technology to improve their health-related quality of life and become self-sufficient as they age..
In fact, many older adults have goals that go beyond trying to feel less lonely or have conversations; Whether it is through volunteer work to improve young students' English skills or learning new technical skills from them. Questions such as how communities should achieve this and how to create a sustainable program can be explored.
Furthermore, investigating lifestyle, quality of relationships, trust in social situations, and the neighborhoods in which individuals reside are used to paint a clearer picture of their needs and help understand and guide anti-loneliness efforts.
Bringing people of different ages together, whether through formal programs or informal neighborhood interactions, “strengthens community for everyone, because it builds awareness and education about the aging process and reduces assumptions or stereotypes about age,” said Katie White, director of the Central Ohio District. . Aging agency.
Buddy programs also shouldn't be limited to adults and children. Imagine if different senior living communities could come together to hopefully launch a virtual pen pal program to reduce loneliness and foster belonging among residents, especially during transitional periods such as the death of a loved one or adjusting to a chronic illness.
Plus: “The day often gets me through”: How retirement communities can improve social connections through technology
Healthy human relationships are crucial to people's survival and well-being. Not only does increasing social connection improve mental health, it can also help fight depression and cognitive decline. Innovations like digital buddy programs are a great solution to help seniors when it comes to giving them the opportunity to live a better life.
Sophie Okolo is a Forbes contributor, an Age Boom Fellow at Columbia University, and a TEDMED researcher. She is the founder and host of Global Health Aging, a creative consultancy and award-nominated resource featuring diverse opinions, news stories, and innovative research on longevity and healthy aging.
This article is reprinted with permission from NextAvenue.org©2024 Twin Cities Public Television, Inc. all rights are save.
More from Avenue Next:
