Combatting social isolation and increasing social participation of older adults through the use of technology: A systematic review of existing evidence

Australasian Journal on Ageing
Steven BakerFrank Vetere

Abstract

There are growing concerns that social isolation presents risks to older people's health and well-being. Thus, the objective of the review was to explore how technology is currently being utilised to combat social isolation and increase social participation, hence improving social outcomes for older people. A systematic review of the literature was conducted across the social science and human-computer interaction databases. A total of 36 papers met the inclusion criteria and were analysed using a four-step process. Findings were threefold, suggesting that: (i) technologies principally utilised social network services and touch-screen technologies; (ii) social outcomes are often ill-defined or not defined at all; and (iii) methodologies used to evaluate interventions were often limited and small-scale. Results suggest a need for studies that examine new and innovative forms of technology, evaluated with rigorous methodologies, and drawing on clear definitions about how these technologies address social isolation/participation.

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Citations

Sep 4, 2018·Australasian Journal on Ageing·Jane Sims
May 28, 2019·Journal of Medical Internet Research·Peter AnderbergJohan Sanmartin Berglund
May 23, 2020·The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·Chris NooneEimear C Morrissey
May 17, 2019·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Patricio Ramírez-CorreaLeonard Belmar Órdenes
Aug 23, 2020·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Qian LiuYuanyuan Wu
Aug 23, 2020·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Francisco Javier Rondán-CataluñaJorge Alfaro-Pérez
Dec 10, 2020·Journal of Community Psychology·Roni Laslo-RothMalka Margalit
Jan 12, 2021·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·Eun Young ChoiJennifer Ailshire
Dec 12, 2020·Journal of Geriatric Oncology·Kristen R HaaseJacqueline Galica
Mar 20, 2021·Canadian Journal on Aging = La Revue Canadienne Du Vieillissement·Erica ChenRenate Ysseldyk
Nov 7, 2020·Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology·Laurence Benoit-DubéPatrícia Belchior
Jul 18, 2020·Journal of the American Medical Directors Association·Joyce SietteLee-Fay Low
Aug 6, 2021·Gerontology & Geriatrics Education·Thomas MeuserFranklin Brooks
Oct 1, 2021·Age and Ageing·Alice DaySimon Conroy
Jul 16, 2021·JBI Evidence Synthesis·Marilyn MacdonaldShelley McKibbon
Dec 23, 2021·Australasian Journal on Ageing·Ralph Hampson
Jan 4, 2022·JMIR Aging·Jenny WaycottElena Robertson
Jun 21, 2019··Romina CarrascoThuong Hoang
Jan 9, 2019··Ralph HampsonRomina Carrasco

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