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Older Adults' Use of a Research-Based Web Platform for Social Interaction
Annelie K Gusdal1, Ulrika Florin2, Rose-Marie Johansson-Pajala1
1School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, 631-05 Eskilstuna, Sweden.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 11, 2023
Summary
A co-designed web platform helped older adults expand social networks and form friendships. While loneliness persisted, the platform showed potential for future social interaction tools for seniors.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Digital Health
Background:
- Loneliness and social isolation negatively impact older adults' health.
- Information and communication technology (ICT) offers a potential solution.
- ICT must be tailored to older adults' specific needs for effective use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore older adults' experiences with a co-designed web platform for social interaction.
- To evaluate the platform's effectiveness from user, researcher, and social service perspectives.
- To gather insights for designing future social interaction platforms for seniors.
Main Methods:
- An 8-week intervention study involving 20 older adults using the 'Fik@ room' web platform.
- A multimethod approach collecting quantitative and qualitative data (pretest, during, posttest).
- Involvement of social services personnel in recruitment and user support.
Main Results:
- The 'Fik@ room' met the expectations of users who completed the study.
- Participants expanded social networks and developed new friendships.
- The platform did not significantly reduce participants' experiences of loneliness.
Conclusions:
- Co-designed, customized web platforms can facilitate social connection among older adults.
- Social service involvement is crucial for successful implementation.
- Further research is needed to address the persistent issue of loneliness despite increased social interaction.
Keywords:
information and communication technologylonelinesssocial isolationsocial networkweb platformMore Related Videos
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