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How Technology Helps Older Adults Stay Connected

A recent study suggests smartphones, computers,⁢ adn tablets may help older‌ adults ‍stay connected.

As a social worker in South⁢ Korea,Jaesung ⁤lee,lead author of the ⁤study‍ and a ‍doctoral candidate in the University of Georgia’s School of ‍Social⁤ Work,saw this ‌firsthand.

Interested in ​social engagement during his time⁢ as a social worker in South Korea, Lee and his team developed⁣ programs ‌that helped older adults learn to use smartphones-and go on to teach ​others ​as well.

“the programs not only helped participants ‍acquire practical skills but also supported them in becoming instructors themselves ‌at other organizations,” Lee says.

“Through this, older adults experienced greater ⁣convenience in their daily lives, gained⁢ meaningful re-employment opportunities, and felt a strong sense ⁣of satisfaction⁤ from taking the class and serving⁣ as⁤ instructors.”

South Koreans typically retire⁣ before age 60, Lee says. And many struggle with anxiety and mental health issues when they leave the workforce.

“By taking these classes and⁢ being ‍an instructor, ⁣the students overcame those issues and ​connected to society again.”

The researchers used data from the National ​Health and Aging Trends Study.This national study conducts yearly‍ interviews with thousands of ⁤Americans age 65 and older about technology use, employment and​ social engagement.

The present study found​ older‍ adults who are employed or‌ use technology to communicate with others are more socially active. ‌That means they’re more likely to do things like visit friends or family,volunteer,​ and go out for fun.

But for retirees,the researchers saw a “downturn.” For many, leaving‍ the ​workforce⁢ meant no longer seeing coworkers, ‍which shrank their social networks.

Phones and computers can definitely help fill ⁢that void.