Role of technology in curbing Social Isolation of Seniors in future
Abstract
Social isolation in seniors is a huge problem especially in Northern American countries. It affects almost every living being on this planet but in humans, elders usually experience the worst of it. Technology has made our life easier and simpler but right now services like SNSs and ICTs are not completely effective to reduce the isolation in seniors totally. However, in future with constant improvement tech products and solutions can reduce the isolation in elders to a greater degree.
Introduction
Social isolation can be defined as a state of complete or near-complete lack of contact between a human and society [1]. Often, it gets confused with depression or loneliness but the truth is that these are mere indications that show whether a person is socially isolated or not. Social isolation is not uncommon in animal species. It has been observed that social isolation affects animal’s biological health [2]. For example, social isolation can promote obesity and type – 2 diabetes in mice [3]. Isolation leaves adverse effects on the animal body and some experts, compare social isolation with cigarette smoking and other major injurious habits.
In human beings, seniors are more likely to get socially isolated because of their health condition, financial strain, the absence of a spouse or mental illness. In the United States, it is projected that the population of seniors will be doubled, from 46 million (approx.) to 98 million (estimated), by the time we reach the year 2060 [4]. Socially isolated seniors are at a higher risk of becoming addicted to smoking, substances, alcohol and become emaciated. With a frail body and a weak immune system, getting caught in negative health behaviors can make them hospitalized. Most seniors don’t recover from social isolation because of inability to move, lack of motivation and lack of physical interaction.
Technology has played a vital role in elongating the lifespan of human beings. The life-expectancy of an average person was 48 in 1950 and in 2014 the life-expectancy nearly doubled [5]. This has happened due to the better healthcare and improved medical technology. On the contrary, Information, Communication, and technology (ICT) haven’t played any major role in reducing social isolation in seniors. This sounds odd because the ICTs were envisioned to alleviate social isolation by connecting everyone through the internet [6].
However, the belief that the “role of technology in curbing social isolation in seniors is negligible” may change in the future. This is because, in future, the younger generation who are already very familiar with modern technology can relate to it when they become old [7]. Moreover, Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help seniors in their daily chores by providing useful information [8].
Related Works and Background
A lot of research has been done already to understand the impact of technology in reducing the effects of social isolation in seniors. One of those studies suggests that the impact of technology is scant in alleviating social isolation in elders. Both social isolation and loneliness is common amongst elders but there is a difference between the two. The technology, specifically the Social Networking Sites (SNS), were made to connect any individual with their family, relatives and friends. SNSs has “the capacity to overcome obstacles by involving seniors to maintain involvement with their family and friends” [7]. Even though SNSs are said to induce loneliness in younger people, it was expected to work inversely with elders [10].
Mainstream ICTs like the internet, computer and mobile phones are available to make communication easier. In theory, this is should be effective but the reality is contradictory. Despite several obstacles, such as computer anxiety, research paper suggests that elders are more exposed to technology than they ever did before [11]. However, research results elicit that ICTs played little to no role in curbing social isolation [12].
A lot of companies, both start-ups and multi-nationals, have been experimenting with home assistant robots. They have the potential to help seniors with finishing their daily chores. Animal-assisted therapy is one of the areas where pet robots can fill the void for seniors and reduce the risk of social isolation in seniors. Since pet-robots are non-living things, the pain of losing a living pet won’t be felt here. Other robots which are designed as a personal assistant also induces the feeling of companionship in seniors. From the study conducted suggests that pet robots were actually helpful for seniors to connect with family and friends [13].
Gaming has come a long way since its early days. Now, it has become a multi-billion-dollar industry. Playing video games improves the cognitive and physical ability of its player. VR and Motion controlled games works even better because they engage the players. Research done by Kahlbaugh, Sperandio, Carlson, and Hauselt (2011) suggests that seniors felt less isolated and particularly playing the Nintendo Wii games [14].
Tele-care may not seem like a technology innovation but it has the ability to provide health-care assistance anytime and anywhere. Tele-care offers monitoring, communication and support for the elders [15]. All the studies done on Tele-care suggests that it had a significant role in reducing not only social isolation but also the cost health care. It is a useful tool for reducing social isolation.
Relevance in practice
So far, there aren’t many surveys to make a substantial statement whether ICT and technology actually help to reduce social isolation or not. Also, there is no standard way rating the effectiveness of these technologies. Moreover, all the products or tech gadgets were not designed specifically for reducing social isolation in seniors. For Instance, Nintendo Wii is a commercial gaming product aimed at gamers. Since social isolation can cause a negative impact on the health of elders and consequently contribute to increased health cost, Government and policy makers should consider giving funds to those organizations who are trying to implement new technologies to provide ICT literacy among seniors [7].
Social isolation is a huge problem and technology may not have all the answers to completely solve it however in future, technology can improve with constant improvements. For Instance, SNSs can improve if they design their websites keeping senior users in mind. In future, if Facebook releases a lite version of its website specifically designed for seniors, the chances of them connecting with their family, relatives and friends will increase and this may reduce social isolation up to a great extent.
ICTs like computers and the internet has the power to connect everyone on this planet and provide a countless amount of information. There are countless reasons why seniors don’t use the internet and computers. A lot malicious software can access the information stored on the computer when seniors unintentionally click on random pop-up ads. In future, a browser built for seniors that blocks all the malicious popup ads can reduce the fear and anxiety of using a computer. Also, machine learning can improve the user experience by studying what elders do on the internet or a mobile phone and later help the companies to make changes in their websites or application.
Context-aware robots can serve socially isolated seniors even better since they’ll be function according to the environment. The studies already show that robots and home bots are already one of the most effective tech gadgets that can reduce the effect of isolation in seniors [7]. Robotics is still in its nascent stage but it has shown the signs of improvement. Still, there is no product in market which is inexpensive and designed explicitly to reduce the effect of isolation. Personal assistant bots in future can improve through machine learning and understanding its users. This can be helpful in scenarios where elders don’t have to go through a long setup process to make the assistant work.
From the survey results, it was clear that gaming has the potential to lower the effects of isolation and it has the ability to connect people [7]. Some games are made with a sole purpose of helping elders with their mental illness. But currently, there are no games that can take leverage of VR tech and make it an immersive and engaging experience for seniors. Online game for seniors can help them to connect with their family or friends. For instance, an online chess game that let 2 aged men compete and chat with each other. This will not only lessen the isolation but also make them connect. Gaming companies should refine their games by removing the parts which are unnecessary and gather feedback from the player to build a game that both connect elders with their loved ones and reduce isolation.
Conclusion
Social isolation is a major problem and it affects all living beings. Seniors are more exposed to the adverse effect of social isolation because they mostly living alone, financial strains, weak immune system and inability to move sometimes. Experts predict that the population of seniors will be doubled by 2060. All these changes are happening because the lifespan of human beings has increased in past 50 years.
Technology has improved the health care sector and it has improved the quality of life. But so far ICT and other modern gadgets haven’t been able to lessen the effects of social isolation in seniors. There are studies which suggests some of the technologies were not at all helpful. Social Networking Sites were not at all helpful. On the other hand, Video games and Tele-care were more effective in lessening the effects of isolation. Robots and home assistants are also helpful for elders to connect with something and help them in their daily life.
In future, new innovations in tech can reduce or even eradicate social isolation when the companies empathize, define, ideate and then create a hand-tailored product that is made keeping senior’s in mind. AI and machine learning can make the product smart enough to understand its user and make its user more comfortable with the product. Context-aware products or software can learn from the environment and can make changes accordingly. This will help seniors with some disability or illness since they won’t have to go through the hassle of changing the settings. For Instance, a smart home product can that can sense the drop in the temperature and trigger the geyser to increase the temperature of the water.
Lastly, the government should promote events, courses or organizations which are taking the initiative to help elders to learn and get comfortable with the technology. Studies already shows that technology can reduce the isolation amongst seniors and help them to connect with their friends and family.
Acknowledgement
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our beloved Instructor Dr. Oliver Baltzer for providing valuable resources, notes and creating a constructive atmosphere for learning. Thank you for teaching not to jump to conclusions and teaching us how to turn ideas into a company.
At last, I want to thank my team and all my colleagues who shared valuable information with me.
Reference:
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