With the help of Aging 2.0 in recent years, both investors and tech giants alike have increased their focus on bringing relevant technology to those in our aging community. Thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT), today’s gadgets can do everything from remind our people to take their medication to monitor their heart rate or insulin levels from afar. Especially in the field of mobile healthcare, this seems like a tremendous gain. But it could also be argued that today’s technology has an incredibly dangerous side effect: increased loneliness.
It’s no surprise that many of us feel a sense of loneliness as we get older. After all, we lose spouses, friends, careers, and sometimes even our independence. But some may not realize what a prevalent issue it really is. A recent study from University of California in San Francisco showed 43 percent of people over age 65 felt lonely, even if they lived with other people. What’s worse: the study also showed those 60+ who said they were lonely had a 45 percent higher risk of death.
The negative health effects of loneliness have been well documented. Studies show it can lead to dementia, depression, malnutrition, and other health issues. According to AARP Foundation’s Connect2Affect program, chronic loneliness has the same impact as smoking 15 cigarettes a day—or even being obese. This begs the question: what can be done about this aging health epidemic?
Some point to the latest tech advancements as a way for people to connect, even if they are home bound or live alone. Indeed, online shopping allows a way to order needed products for easy home delivery, and mobile healthcare offers the opportunity to see your doctor without ever walking to the car. But doesn’t that also increase the isolation our aging community is already experiencing? After all, numerous studies today show more time on social media leads to higher likelihood of social isolation and mental health issues in many individuals—young and old alike. By offering so many mobile solutions, “digital longevity” may actually be forcing people to lose valuable human contact, rather than gain it.
The answer, as with most issues in the age of digital transformation, is to find the right balance of innovation and human support. The following are just a few things to keep in mind as you explore—or invest in—today’s growing list of digital longevity solutions.
Understand the True Meaning of Loneliness
The true opposite of loneliness is not social media or internet access, but social integration. Although some online social groups may offer a level of social integration, it can’t replace the feeling of volunteering, joining a hobby group, tutoring a child, or feeling a warm hug. Feeling part of something bigger than oneself is a necessary part of human existence. It’s also something technology alone can’t provide.
Think Beyond the Internet
As recently as this past May, Aging 2.0’s Chief Elder Care officer expressed her frustration with today’s investors and entrepreneurs, saying they out of touch with what today’s older consumer really want and need. New technology developers need to think in ways consumers think, creating ways to connect beyond simply going online. For instance, one inventor created a tea kettle that lit up each time a designated family member or friend was making tea at their own homes. The warm light helped the customer feel closer through family tradition and memories.
Think Quality over Quantity
Spending four hours on social media or online shopping sites might be fun, but it won’t necessarily fill a hole in one’s heart if they desire meaningful human contact. Rather than focus on the basics of making your family member more “accessible,” focus on the level of fulfillment they can gain from that accessibility. It’s possible that taking an online course or donating one’s services on a cross-generational skill sharing site like linkAges could be far more meaningful. One participant in a class created by Selfhelp Virtual Senior Center said the courses helped him move from waiting to die—to feeling reborn again. That’s the kind of impact true innovation should have.
Focus on Inter-generational Living Spaces—Not Segregated Housing
Yes, younger people should be invited into assisted living communities to help older adults learn to use new technologies. But the value comes not just in the learning, but in the heart-to-heart connections created during those periods of teaching. The country as a whole needs to put more emphasis not just on creating segregated housing—but on inter-generational housing that helps create meaningful relationships for all ages.
Know the Limits of Technology
Email does not release oxytocin. Neither does Facebook. So while email and Facetime are better than nothing, they are not everything—and should never be considered so. As one researcher observed, “Even when internet use helps create or maintain relationships, the effects may not fully replicate what has been lost.”
Take Responsibility
The feeling of loneliness and isolation people are facing is not simply due to aging—it’s due to our society’s lack of value for older adults. Today’s families are so focused on their phones, sports, school, and work stresses that it’s hard to make time for aging loved ones. At times, they can be seen as a stress or nuisance, rather than a wealth of wisdom and love. Some countries, such as Japan and the United Kingdom, have already introduced “care-bots” to care for the aging population—a move some have called “emotionally dangerous.” As a society, we need to remember there is no miracle technology that can change this loneliness issue. It’s a cultural shift that we as a country need to start working toward.
The majority of the current Baby Boomer generation will not age into senior housing until 2035. By then, most will have spent a large part of their lives using technology—and also feeling the pains of it. The excitement of finding a new way of connecting with family or friends will have long worn off, potentially leaving them even more lonely in the process. Therefore, as we continue to develop new technologies to help improve our longevity, we must consider that true longevity cannot be built by digital methods alone. There is no substitute for human contact—and we can only hope there never will be.
I’m an AGNG 320 student in the Erickson School of Aging. Not many people realize the effects technology has on people and how it causes individuals to lose their sense of belonging in society. Although through the use of technology we have been able to make several advancements there has been a few drawbacks that have often been overlooked. Technology has caused many elderly individuals to feel lonelier because ‘advancements’ in online shopping, social media, and others have caused the personality in these tasks to lessen. The elderly generation needs to be better represented in the technology industry because many who are claiming to target the elderly are not actually taking into account their needs and desires. As Sumit mentions through our Aging 320 course we learn the importance of having a social support while one goes through the later stages of life. Social supports are very important because it allows for the elderly to have a sense of belonging or importance in society.
I am a AGNG 320 student at the Erickson School of Aging. I agree with this article on the loneliness of older adults and how technology has increased the feeling of isolation. Technology has improved even daily tasks of life however, “Feeling part of something bigger than oneself is a necessary part of human existence. It’s also something technology alone can’t provide.” I love the idea of having younger people come into assisted living communities to help older adults learn how to use technology because it’s more about the connection two people will have rather than learning how to use the new technology. I strongly believe human interaction and connection is important within all ages but especially the older adult population. As we age, we lose friends and spouse, retire from our jobs, and nowadays with the advancement of technology, it’s easier for our families to subconsciously distance themselves from us. In my AGNG 320 class, many times we discuss the importance of having a support system for an older adult. Support system includes any human interaction such as, family, friends, hobbies, clubs, and or organizational groups. There is some sort of difficulty of having that kind of support system when technological advances are at an all time high which has a positive effect on loneliness and isolation.
Yes Jessica your article is totally true. No tech can ever negate loneliness .Only human contact can. I am 70 and realise that tech just cannot help. As you rightly said, emails don’t release oxytoxin!!
I find and create the effort to interact with fellow beings, even children to keep my feet firmly on ground. But it is a losing battle. Please write more innovative Articles to keep us engrossed in our world of loneliness.
Well said, Arthur.
I enjoyed reading the article on the loneliness older people feel. She is also right that we as a group are devalued by society and, often, by our families.
Although just a tv show, “Golden Girls” shows how sharing a living arrangement makes aging more enjoyable and helps keep seniors involved and participating in life.
I live alone and my children live in different states. They never visit or call. I do get an occasional text or email. I was a single parent and raised them alone. I have no idea why they have no concerns or interest in my life at 76. It’s very painful.
I 100% agree with your analysis, not that you need one more amen, all researcher are saying the same thing. If our Elders were seen a valuable contributors to society, people would be breaking the door down to sit at their feet. A couple of books worth reading that focuses on the second half of life are Richard Rohr’s book, ‘Falling Upward, A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life,’ and ‘Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life: How to Finally, Really Grow Up’ by James Hollis, Psychoanalyst point out the tremendous value of our Elders in society. There has never been a time that we needed it more!