Can technology alleviate loneliness for the over-80’s?

Today’s society is more connected than ever before. The vast majority of the population now use social media to communicate and keep in touch with friends. In the UK, for example, 38 million people use Facebook. Yet, at the same time, there are around 1 million older people who haven’t spoken to a friend, neighbour or family member for at least a month. Loneliness in older people is therefore a very real problem.

There is a sharp divide in the uptake of social media across generations. Age UK estimates that 4.8 million people over 64 have never used the internet, let alone experienced any kind of social media. It is a cruel irony of our time that those people who could benefit the greatest from technology, to combat social isolation and loneliness, are also those least likely to have the option.

In addition, as technology becomes more pervasive in general society, we are seeing a breakdown of traditional forms of social interaction. For example, younger people are now less inclined to make phone calls, preferring instead short instant messages, which further isolate the older population.

 So what puts older people off technology?

When we put that question to a 92 year old in our focus group, she responded: “I don’t want to be landed with something very expensive that I can’t use”. This statement reflects three common barriers: cost, ease of use, and a general technology anxiety. Below, we consider these in turn, and briefly discuss possible solutions.

Cost

Many older people were brought up to “watch every penny”. They are particularly reluctant to spend money on items which need continual updates and maintenance. However, the last couple of years have seen an explosion in the availability of budget tablet computers, particularly those running the Android operating system. These can be picked up for around £100 as one-off purchases.

In order to use tablets or laptops for communication, an internet connection is needed. Traditionally, this has meant renting a broadband Internet connection at a significant recurring monthly cost, but recently, mobile broadband using a SIM card (like in standard smartphones) has increased significantly in speed. These can now replace traditional broadband in many locations.

Mobile Internet providers are starting to offer basic packages completely free of charge. 3mobile, for example, have introduced their data reward plan which offers 200Mb of free data every month, with no strings attached. This level of data could prove sufficient for the needs of many older people, for example allowing over 100 pictures to be received every month. Pay-as-you-go top-ups, which never expire, are available if more data is needed, at rates of 1p/Mb. Other providers, such as FreedomPop, offer similar packages.

Ease of use

Tablet computers, with their touch screen interfaces, are a step in the right direction when it comes to ease of use. Yet many older people find mainstream tablet computers difficult to use. Some have well-meaning relatives, who do their utmost to teach common tasks, but without frequent and repeated practice, the lessons are quickly forgotten.

To address this problem, simplified tablets, tailored towards older people, are starting to emerge. These can be divided into two categories: general purpose and single purpose.

• The general purpose tablets, such as the Breezie, provide a wide range of features. These include email, photos, games, music and weather, but in a way that is more accessible than on standard tablets.
• In contrast, single purpose tablets, for example the DodlTab, aim to provide just one feature, such as messaging. The focus is on making this single feature as easy as possible to use.

The choice between general and single purpose tablets depends on how confident the older person feels, which is often related to age. As a rule of thumb, older people in their 80’s and 90’s are best served by starting with a single purpose tablet.

Technology anxiety

Older people who have never before used computers, tablets or smartphones are often reluctant to accept any kind of new technology in their homes. Overcoming this resistance can be difficult and a source of much frustration for the relatives.

There is no silver bullet, but a gradual introduction of technology can be helpful to build up confidence. Letting the older person hold a tablet with family photos and swiping through these can be a good start.

Generally, single-purpose tablets which require minimal interaction on behalf of the older person and perhaps just display photos, can be a good starting point for older people who strongly resist technology. Technology has a major role to play in combatting loneliness and isolation, but we must also remember that technology cannot replace human contact, and is only one part of a larger solution. If your older relative is suffering from isolation and loneliness, there are charities which can help, for example providing home visitation or phone conversation. These charities include Age UK, Friends of the Elderly and Contact the Elderly.

Michael Pedersen is the founder of Dodl Ltd, the company behind the DodlTab. The DodlTab single-purpose tablet lets older people receive photos, videos and text messages with one touch, and gives family and friends peace of mind with alerts if messages aren’t seen.