Last week I attended a webinar sponsored by the American Society on Aging and presented by Maureen Feldman MA, Director of the Social Impact Project, Motion Picture Television Foundation, and Amber Caroll, Well Connected, Covia. The topic was Technology and Social Isolation & Loneliness while staying socially distanced. Many seniors who are living in their own homes and also those who are living in congregate living facilities have faced months with little or no contact with families or friends.
The seminar began by quoting census projections that by 2030 1 in 5 Americans will be 65 or older. This is twice the number in 2020. The pandemic has made it clear that we need significant improvements in fiscal, health and social supports to guarantee a high quality of life for older Americans.
Maureen Feldman runs the Motion Picture Television Foundation (MPTF) program designed to prevent the loneliness and social isolation that has been an issue for seniors for many years but has become so much more prevalent during Covid-19. She reminded us that the harshest of punishments has always been solitary confinement. Many senior congregate facilities have been forced to quarantine their residents in their often small units since March. It has also been necessary for seniors remaining in their homes to quarantine and isolate themselves for this period.
Their research showed the following disturbing facts about seniors:
- 46 % – Sometimes or always feel alone.
- 43% – Feel their relationships are not meaningful.
- 43% – Feel isolated from others.
- 27% – Rarely feel there are people who really understand them.
Ms Feldman states that our nation is going through an epidemic of social isolation and loneliness. Those without strong social connections tend to suffer more. There are many contributing factors such as loss of loved ones, disability, financial instability and the loss of a driver’s license. Many seniors today spend days, weeks or months without any meaningful human contact.
Loneliness and social isolation are not the same but often have the same results. Social isolation is simply a lack of social connections and lack of contact with society and it can be quantified. Loneliness is the subjective feeling of being alone and distressed over not having enough social relationships or contact with other people. An example of this would be a senior who moved away from his or her long term home into a new senior living facility.
Ms Feldman and other senior experts believe that the current social isolation and loneliness may present a secondary public health challenge in addition to the physical issues brought on by Covid-19. Socially isolated or lonely people have higher risks of increased visits to the ER, need for long term care, depression, becoming a victim of fraud and elder abuse. There is a 64% higher rate of dementia for seniors experiencing long term isolation.
MPTF and Pierce College in Woodland Hills CA have developed several technology-based programs to help reduce the number of seniors who have no real contact with their outside world on a daily basis. There are seniors who are hesitant to embrace available technology which could help with their communications, shopping, health management/telemedicine, banking, ride share transportation and simplification of food preparation and delivery. However, according to MPTF it is erroneous to assume that most older adults are not interested in new technology. Ms Feldman teaches a very popular 15- week class at Pierce College, “Stay Connected: Communicating in the 21st Century.” Her students reported increased confidence in using digital devices and social media, increased social connectivity with friends and family, and increased ability to access the many free online resources.
Digital technology use has increased considerably with seniors from 2016 to 2019 based on data from the Pew Resource Center. In 2016 only 44% of seniors 80+ used the internet and that figure is now 62%. In 2016 only 17 percent of older seniors had a smart phone and that figure is now 40%.
MTPF runs two programs to help alleviate loneliness with seniors. One is their Virtual Social Program which runs for 12 weeks with homebound participants, two facilitated group meetings per week and 1 peer only meeting. Their participants reported less loneliness based on the UCLA Loneliness Scores, and the number of support calls they received from the participants dropped over the course of the program.
Videos of the participants in these programs were inspiring. They had all worked in the entertainment industry. During their zoom or group meetings, they shared humorous and serious memories of their early days working in films and television in LA. It was very evident how important this time spent with others was to each one and a frequent comment was that tech was not as scary as they had anticipated. One woman excitedly explained to another person how many things like yoga, Zumba, card games and entertainment he could enjoy simply by taking advantage of the available things free on the internet.
Their other program is the Daily Call Sheet which matches volunteer callers with homebound seniors who worked in the entertainment industry or their parents. Ms. Feldman acknowledged that all seniors will not have broadband access or a computer which would allow them to participate in the many online programs. Their volunteers call Aging in Place industry members once or twice a week to enable them to connect with someone with whom they have things in common. They can share professional insights and experiences, reminisce about old times in the business or simply talk about things going on in their lives currently. One call recipient said that a simple call can be a lifeline when you feel alone and have few if any other social contacts.
The highlighted programs are just a tiny sample of programs intended to increase connectivity for seniors. Our Conejo Valley Village converted many of our programs and events to Zoom. We have a book club, happy hours, physical fitness classes, mental fitness classes, and recipe exchanges on Zoom. Senior Planet is a national nonprofit that offers classes in stone balancing, mindfulness, chair yoga, tai chi and computer classes on Zoom, cell phones and using transportation like Uber and Lyft. I just signed up for virtual bingo through a local public library.
Cyber-Seniors began as a high school project which inspired an award winning documentary film Cyber Seniors – Connecting the Generations. The movie takes a journey with a group of seniors as they discover the internet with a group of teenage mentors. Ms. Feldman recommended them as a wonderful resource for seniors needing computer assistance. Every senior center and library in our area offers classes and tutoring in using computers and mastering the internet.
Digital literacy training can give older adults the skills and confidence to access information and services online. Simple training in computers, tablets and smart phones can allow seniors to keep in touch with families, friends and community, which is especially important for seniors choosing to age in place. I don’t think a Zoom call will ever replace that wonderful holiday dinner sitting close to your kids and grandkids and eating delicious food, but it is so much better than spending the day alone. A check in call from a Daily Call Sheet volunteer is not the same as an in-person visit with a dear friend on your front porch, but as one of the Daily Call Sheet recipients said, “A simple call can be a lifeline on a lonely afternoon. ”
Staying connected as we age is a key component to lifelong health and happiness so let’s take advantage of the many ways we can stay connected to family, friends and our community. Reach out to us if you want more information about getting and staying “connected.”