Technology has shaped the way we interact with people and how we perceive the world. It allows us to keep in touch with loved ones, make friends and be part of online communities. At the same time, there is a small risk that technology can worsen loneliness by creating a sense of disconnection from our immediate surroundings and leading to superficial understanding of our relationships. For older adults particularly, it can be challenging to keep social connections in an increasingly digitally connected world.
As part of my doctoral studies, I explore older adults’ decisions to use and current use of technology, and how this may be related with the person’s identity. In this blog I will discuss the benefits and downsides of technology to address loneliness in older adults using some insights from my own research, while also raising awareness of the need to understand loneliness as both an individual experience and a social phenomenon.
Why is loneliness a priority?
Loneliness is described as subjective negative and painful experience resulting from the absence or inadequate meaningful social connections. [1] While loneliness refers to people’s feelings and experiences, social isolation refers to the state of having a reduced number of social contacts and interactions, which can increase the risk of loneliness. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 3 older people are socially isolated. [2]
Loneliness is a growing social issue. The EU-Loneliness Survey (EU-LS 2022) found that 13% of the people who took part living in the EU feel lonely most, or all the time. It also showed Ireland had the highest levels of loneliness in the EU (20%) [3] ALONE recently published a report showing 58% of older people supported by their services in 2023 experienced loneliness. [4]
With COVID-19, decreasing loneliness and social isolation became a priority, especially for older adults. The joint report on 2020 from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) and ALONE found that during the pandemic Irish older people experienced increased feelings of loneliness, anxiety and isolation. [5] The pandemic also triggered an almost forced cascade of technology use regardless of age. Family became more involved in helping older members to make video calls and do online shopping, while the technology market exploded. However, the digital divide and fair access to technology, along with support do affect the choices older adults make about using technology.
Older people’s technology engagement.
As part of my doctoral research, I have interviewed a small group of older adults to understand their experiences as potential or current users of Assistive Technology (AT). AT uses technology to create products that help people, especially older adults and those with disabilities or ongoing health issues, by facilitating daily tasks and improving individuals’ abilities. Through these interviews, I have noticed older adults acknowledge the benefits of technology in their daily lives, but recognize they often have difficulties with online banking and struggle when little or no support is available to them.
The older adults I interviewed keep preferring face-to-face social interactions; they engage with community groups (i.e., Maynooth Senior Citizens [6], Naas Men’s Shed [7], church choirs, bridge and bingo clubs, etc.) where possible. Overall, they embraced technology as part of their current lives mainly as a way of keeping in touch with their family and friends. Indeed, published research highlights that videoconferencing and telephone calls are the most common uses of technology to enhance social interactions. [8]
Loneliness and Technology in old age.
To understand how loneliness and technology connect, it is important to consider things like, age, gender, socioeconomic status, cultural background, previous exposure to technological devices, people’s different levels of expertise and training as well as support available. For older adults, bringing technology into everyday life doesn’t happen spontaneously. It is a slow process where people might start off by resisting it, and eventually learn to use it more effectively and purposefully. [9] Having meaningful support available is very important when it comes to shape patterns of use and maximise the benefits of technology, it also enhances social interaction with others through technology.
There are different technological and digital solutions that have been designed to reduce loneliness starting by the oldest of inventions, the telephone. The Internet, Social Media platforms and videoconferencing are of the most common solutions people can use to stay connected and become part of communities with similar interests. According to a study, social robots and virtual pets are the most frequent interventions to reduce loneliness and enhance social support, followed by digital games —involving Virtual Reality (VR)—, remote e-health services, virtual social support groups and digitally delivered activities (i.e. physical exercise) among others. [10] However, the value and efficacy of these solutions need to be assessed at larger scales. There is also a need for major policy changes to make these solutions more accessible to people.
It is important to note that even technology not initially designed to address loneliness, can influence older adults’ social interaction. For example, a study found that when it comes to receiving emergency assistance services, older adults have indicated that a personal voice contact support better their safety, as opposed to an automated voice message. There is a preference for face-to-face medical care which provides more seamless communication than that offered through technological devices. [11]
On the flip side, while most of the studies highlight the benefits of technology in addressing loneliness, a few show a risk of not succeed. For example, it was found that the use of social robots can increase feelings of loneliness and disappointment, while introducing conversational styles that can infantilise older adults. [12] Other studies show technology can also make older adults feel like they are missing out and lead to negative emotions. [13] The impact of social media on self-isolation and low self-esteem among young people is often discussed but older adults are not exempt from this. I would add that media representation of this age group is still far from depicting ageing in its most diverse forms and styles.
What else can be done?
Across the EU, UK and US, governments have made it a priority to tackle loneliness. In Ireland, the Loneliness Taskforce (LT) brings together about 14 organisations to address loneliness in Ireland and inform policy changes. [14] The Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) hosts a webpage for older people in situations of loneliness and social isolation; it provides general resources, suggestions to reach out and engage in social activities/groups and computer skills courses, and a confidential 24 hours Seniorline. [15] Moreover, the work done by ALONE stands out by reaching out to older people ageing at home and offering them befriending support —in person and over telephone—, technology and housing support. [16]
Overall, we must recognize that technology has promising potential to alleviate loneliness in older adults, offering alternatives to keep meaningful social connections and participation. However, it is important to acknowledge that ageing can be experienced very differently among people and not everyone experiences loneliness in the same way. Therefore, the effectiveness of technology can be improved with adequate support and guidance, addressing the challenges older adults may face in adopting new technologies. Balancing these aspects, technology can indeed transform the way we address loneliness in our aging population.
