Empowering Older Adults: Combating Loneliness with Technology.

In today's fast-paced world, loneliness and isolation among older adults have become significant concerns. The impact of social isolation on mental and physical well-being cannot be understated.

Virtual Reality

There is hope on the horizon in the form of Virtual Reality (VR) technology. Recent research has shown promising results in using VR as a tool to tackle loneliness and enhance social connections among older adults.

Loneliness is a growing issue, with statistics showing a concerning rise in the number of older adults experiencing isolation. In the UK alone, over 500,000 older adults go days without seeing or speaking to anyone, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions. VR presents a unique opportunity to bridge this gap by providing immersive experiences that can transport individuals to new places, activities, and social interactions.

Through co-discovery and co-design workshops, researchers have engaged with older adults to understand their needs and preferences. Participants expressed a desire to engage in activities they had missed out on due to loneliness, such as dancing, traveling, and experiencing new adventures. VR technology allows for the recreation of these experiences in a virtual space, enabling older adults to connect with others and explore new horizons from the comfort of their homes.

One of the key advantages of VR is its ability to facilitate not just communication but collaboration and interaction. By creating virtual environments that mimic real-world settings, older adults can engage in shared activities, fostering a sense of community and belonging. This collaborative approach emphasizes the importance of addressing known factors associated with loneliness to create effective interventions.

Moreover, VR has the potential to break down barriers and stereotypes associated with technology among older adults. By showcasing the diverse range of activities and experiences that VR can offer, individuals are more likely to embrace this technology as a tool for empowerment and social connection. This shift in perception can lead to the development of new use cases and innovative solutions for combating loneliness.

As we look towards the future, it is essential for researchers, engineers, and technologists to collaborate on multidisciplinary research initiatives to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of VR interventions for older adults. By leveraging the power of VR technology, we can create inclusive and engaging experiences that enhance the quality of life for older adults and combat the pervasive issue of loneliness in our aging population.

In conclusion, Virtual Reality holds immense potential in addressing loneliness and isolation among older adults. By harnessing the immersive capabilities of VR technology, we can create meaningful connections, foster social interactions, and empower older adults to lead fulfilling lives. Together, let's embrace innovation and move forward in our mission to combat loneliness in older adults with the transformative power of Virtual Reality.

Robot technology

Are robot companions good for the elderly?

Big in Japan?

Japan has been trying to create robots to care for older people for around two decades. By 2018 the Japanese government had spent over $300m on research and development for robotics in social care.

Many different robots have been developed as a result, including:

• ‘Hug’ and ‘Robear’ - robots that assist care workers with lifting people

• Paro – a robot seal (yes like the animal) designed to offer a robotic form of animal therapy (good natured pooches must have pushed up their prices in Japan)

• Pepper – a robot that runs exercise sessions with residents in care homes or people in their own homes

Despite the enormous investment and push from government to make robot carers a reality, they haven’t really taken off. A national survey in 2019 revealed that only 10% of social care providers had introduced any form of robotic assistant to care and there’s little sign this will change anytime soon.

What’s the problem?

The key drawback with robots in care, besides the ethical, quality, of safety considerations, is that where they have been tried (most notably in Japan) they have actually created additional labour for staff, who have to move, maintain, intervene, set up and learn to use the robots. Similar attempts to introduce robots in Sweden, Denmark, Italy and other countries have met with similar problems.

The robots themselves have had limited effectiveness. Lifting robots proved uncomfortable for most and impractical even in a residential care setting. Whereas companion robots like Paro (the robotic seal) seemed to have stimulated more repetitive or obsessive behaviours in some people with dementia. It was hoped that the robot would reduce these kind of behaviours.

Let us see what the future holds.