Connecting at Local Level: Exploring Opportunities for Future Design of Technology to Support Social Connections in Age-friendly Communities

Jennifer Liddle, Nicole Pitcher, Kyle Montague, Barbara Hanratty, Holly Standing and Thomas Scharf
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Jennifer Liddle: Population Health Sciences Institute, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL, UK
Nicole Pitcher: Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, 75004 Paris, France
Kyle Montague: Open Lab, Newcastle Helix, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TG, UK
Barbara Hanratty: Population Health Sciences Institute, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL, UK
Holly Standing: Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, Coach Lane Campus East, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7XA, UK
Thomas Scharf: Population Health Sciences Institute, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL, UK

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-25

Abstract: Social connectedness in later life is an important dimension of an age-friendly community, with associated implications for individual health and wellbeing. In contrast with prior efforts focusing on connections at a distance or online communities where the digital technology is the interface, we explore the design opportunities and role of technology for connectedness within a geographically local community context. We present findings from interviews with 22 older adults and a linked ideation workshop. Our analysis identified shared concerns and negative perceptions around local relationships, connections and characteristics of the geographical area. However, local connectedness through technology was largely absent from day-to-day life and even perceived as contributing to disconnection. By uncovering how older adults use and perceive technology in their social lives and combining these findings with their ideas for improving local connections, we highlight the need for thoughtful consideration of the role of technology in optimising social connections within communities. Our research highlights a need for design work to understand the specifics of the local context and reduce emphasis on technology as the interface between people. We introduce an amended definition—‘underpinned by a commitment to respect and social inclusion, an age-friendly community is engaged in a strategic and ongoing process to facilitate active ageing by optimising the community’s physical, social and digital environments and its supporting infrastructure’—to conceptualise our approach. We conclude by suggesting areas for future work in developing digitally connected age-friendly communities.

Keywords: connectedness; social relationships; later life; ageing; older people; age-friendliness; community; digital technology; loneliness; isolation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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