“One study of nearly 600 older adults – led by Michigan State University psychologist William Chopik, PhD – found that social technology use, including email, Facebook, online video services such as Skype and instant messaging, was linked to lower levels of loneliness, better self-rated health and fewer chronic illnesses and depressive symptoms.”
Technology has the ability to enhance and enrich the lives of older adults by facilitating better interpersonal relationships. Chopik's study concluded higher social technology use was associated with better self-rated health, fewer chronic illnesses, higher subjective well-being, and fewer depressive symptoms.
Furthermore, each of the links between social technology use and physical and psychological health was mediated by reduced loneliness. Close relationships are a large determinant of physical health and well-being, and technology has the potential to cultivate successful relationships among older adults.
(William J. Chopik. “The Benefits of Social Technology Use Among Older Adults Are Mediated by Reduced Loneliness.” Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, Vol. 19, No. 9. September 1, 2016.)
The effects of loneliness on the elderly are devastating. This pandemic year of 2020 presents unique problems for those with limited contact with family and friends. Chronic loneliness has become a public health crisis that has reached epidemic levels across demographics.
In fact, loneliness has intensified over the years with three in five Americans (61%) reporting today that they are lonely, compared to more than half (54%) in 2018. Additionally, the global impact and implications of mandated quarantines and social distancing guidelines intended to curb the spread of COVID-19 has unintentionally exacerbated loneliness, likely making these statistics even more alarming.
These statistics come against the backdrop of a rising mental health crisis in America, with more than 46 million people living with a mental illness.
Social isolation causes real suffering, and can lead not only to depression and anxiety, but to related health problems such as cognitive decline and heart disease. People with strong social bonds are 50 percent less likely to die over a given period of time than those who have fewer social connections.
One study estimated the mortality impact of loneliness is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, which is similar in magnitude to well-established risk factors such as physical inactivity and obesity.
(Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Timothy B. Smith, and Mark Baker. “Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors for Mortality: A Meta-Analytic Review.” Perspectives On Psychological Science. March 11, 2015.)
This does not even count the social and economic consequences, like the heavy burden on caregivers to provide support.
(Dr. William Kassler. “Technology Can Help The Lonely Elderly Endure Social Distancing.” Forbes. April 8, 2020.)
Video-Mediated Communication
As more and more seniors use tech conventions, an important aspect missing in instant messaging and social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, however, is the nonverbal cue – such as a smile, gesture or glance. These allow people to gauge the tone and context of a social encounter. When this information is missing, users perceive fewer friendly cues from others.
A relatively new form of human communication, video-conferencing has become more popular as video technology improves and with increasing demands for real-time communication across greater distances. Decades after their introduction, these video communication systems are beginning to realize their potential in supporting working from home, teaching and learning at a distance, conferencing, and interpersonal communication.
Research shows that video calling goes a long way in helping a loved one stay connected. A longitudinal study published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychology looked at the impact of online communication on depression symptoms in older adults. Researchers found that “Older adults who use video chat such as Skype…have a lower risk of developing depression.”
(Alan R.Teo MD, MS. SheilaMarkwardt MPH, and Ladson Hinton MD4.”Using Skype to Beat the Blues: Longitudinal Data from a National Representative Sample.” The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. Volume 27, Issue 3, March 2019.)
The researchers looked at different types of online communication and their association with symptoms of depression. The 1,424 participants used either no online contact, email, social networks, video chat, or instant messaging. Then, they took an eight-item depression scale with a two-year follow-up. Those who used video chat had significantly fewer depressive symptoms compared to non-users. Whereas, using email, social media, and instant messaging did not yield a significant difference.
Another study looked at the attempt of video-mediated communication systems to provide users with a channel that could bring out the "feeling"of face-to-face communication. Among the many qualities these systems aim for, a high level of social presence is unquestionably a desirable one; however, little effort has been made to improve upon the user's perception of "presence.” This study proposed an AR approach to enhance social presence for video mediated systems by allowing one user to be present in the other user's video image.
Results indicated that the video mediated system had a higher degree of social presence compared to traditional video-chat systems. This conclusion was supported by the positive feedback from the subjects.
(Igor de Souza Almeida et al. “AR-based Video-Mediated Communication: A Social Presence Enhancing Experience.” 14th Symposium on Virtual and Augmented Reality. 2012.)
Modern technology lets senior citizens have regular contact with family and friends. Seeing and being seen (and heard) has social value and creates a deeper connection. A case study, published in The Journal of Community Informatics, followed 16 Older Adults who regularly use video communication. Participants recognized an intrinsic value of seeing the person they’re communicating with. They would bear with poor quality sound and images for the chance to connect with others.
(Mary
C. Milliken, Susan O’Donnell, Kerri Gibson, and Betty
Daniels.“Older Citizens and Video Communications: A Case Study. The
Journal of Community Informatics.
National Research Council Canada. 2012.)
This case study focused on older citizens living in a small city in Canada who are frequent users of ICT (information and communications technology). All the participants in the study used online video, video calls and videoconferencing on a regular basis. They were actively using online videos; for most, watching a video online to learn about news and current affairs or for entertainment and amusement is an integral part of their weekly routine.
Participants recognized the intrinsic value of video to improve a sense of connection or to increase the social presence that comes from seeing the person with whom they are communicating. Participants who had regular contact with family and friends used video calls because the technology increased the social presence or the sense of being together in real time, whether they were in contact to discuss the artwork of a granddaughter or a friend.
Seeing the other person in the conversation allowed engagement with a deeper connection, even after a long time had passed since people had met in person. Most study participants recognized the value of social presence in video and used diverse technologies flexibly and critically. They had a functional approach to technology, but they also used it for fun. The study confirmed older citizens are interested in technology and the benefits it can offer, and they will likely use it more often if it better accommodated their needs.
The study found participants recognized the power of video to engage, inform and entertain, but they would be more interested to use it if they have adequate reason and support. The value of video calls and videoconferencing was proportional to its perceived usefulness: if it improved communication, was used by a loved one, or enabled demonstration of something visual, then it had value.
The Need For “Face”
Studies show more seniors than ever have adopted smartphones – 42%, according to Pew Research – and 67% say they have internet access. At the same time, only a quarter of adults over 65 say they feel confident about using electronics to go online. This echoes a need for initial support from others in order to help seniors engage in video-mediated communication. Most can and will use the technology if they know how.
The need is clear. Nearly 13.8 million Americans over the age of 65 – about 28% of that population – live by themselves, according to 2017 estimates from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Surveys from organizations like AARP and Kaiser Family Foundation suggest that anywhere between 33% and 43% of all older adults in the U.S. experience loneliness either sometimes or frequently.
The lack of social connection and brain stimulation is associated with higher risks of physical health problems like heart disease, dementia and even premature death, according to a recent report from the National Academy of Sciences.
Charlotte Dickson, the executive director of Village Movement California, an umbrella organization of villages in the state, says …
“These are communities of older adults who are taking charge of the impact of physical distancing – educating themselves and transforming and reinventing themselves to be able to meet the moment. And that is such a different narrative than the narrative around ‘victims of Covid dying.’”
John Paul Farmer, chief technology officer of New York City, said in an email to CityLab …
“COVID-19 has made clear to all that broadband is a public health necessity too. For people to access essential services online, they first have to be online. It’s just that simple.”
At 100 years old, Angela Little is a self-proclaimed “social creature.” She’s more tech-savvy than most people her age: A former U.C. Berkeley professor in the department of nutritional science, she remembers using some of the first big IBM computers. But she’s not as interested in learning how to use more modern video-conferencing platforms like Zoom.
“I am at the end of my life,” she said. “I am not looking forward to developing into something else.” She does like FaceTiming, texts her daughter and grandchildren constantly throughout the day and streams contemporary dramas on Netflix. What she wants more than anything, though, is a visit from her family. “If they could come by, that would make me feel a lot better,” she said. “But they’re sequestered, too.”
(Linda Poon and Sarah Holder. “The ‘New Normal’ for Many Older Adults Is on the Internet.” Bloomberg City Lab. May 6, 2020.)
Nothing substitutes for physical contact, but during the pandemic and in times when distance and circumstance make visiting impossible, video-mediated communication offers an alternative with a face – a familiar chat filled with gestures and smiles. This social connection is vital for the health and welfare of American seniors. Video services are powerful tools to combat loneliness and social isolation. And, just a little technical help can make seniors a much happier and secure.
"Hello In There"
We had an
apartment in the city,
Me and Loretta liked living there.
Well,
it'd been years since the kids had grown,
A life of their own left
us alone.
John and Linda live in Omaha,
And Joe is somewhere on
the road.
We lost Davy in the Korean war,
And I still don't
know what for,
Don't matter anymore.
You know that old
trees just grow stronger,
And old rivers grow wilder every
day.
Old people just grow lonesome
Waiting for someone to say,
"Hello in there, hello."
Me and Loretta, we don't
talk much more,
She sits and stares through the back door
screen.
And all the news just repeat itself
Like some forgotten
dream that we've both seen.
Someday I'll go and call up
Rudy,
We worked together at the factory.
But what could I say
if he asks "What's new?"
"Nothing, what's with you?
Nothing much to do."
You know that old trees just grow
stronger,
And old rivers grow wilder every day.
Old people just
grow lonesome
Waiting for someone to say, "Hello in there,
hello."
So if you're walking down the street sometime
And
spot some hollow ancient eyes,
Please don't just pass 'em by and
stare
As if you didn't care, say, "Hello in there, hello."
--John Prine
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