Seniors on Skype

A new study involving senior citizens and social media will soon be conducted by the University of Sydney to find out if cyber activity decreases social isolation.

Chair and professor of Health Informatics, Robert Steele is hoping to attract 150 volunteers aged over 55 years to take part in a series of Facebook, Twitter and Skype seminars.

He intends to compare individuals’ social isolation before and after a six-month period of internet training.

President of Australian Seniors Computer Club Association (ASCCA), Nan Bosler, said she has noticed an increase in smart phone, tablet, laptop and social media usage.

“Many seniors are very keen to explore new technology,” she said. “Just this morning we were organising another tablet session.”

Mr Steele said the study’s implications could also enable better communication between patients and health professionals.

“There are many exciting emerging developments for healthcare communications technologies at the moment. Such approaches as mobile health or wireless health might allow individuals to continuously capture their vital signs, health data or progress during rehabilitation,” he said in a statement.

His latest project Connecting Older Adults is funded by the NSW Office of Ageing and will be done in collaboration with the ASCCA and Carers NSW. Participants will fill out two surveys and attend two half-day training sessions in May.

Ms Bosler said: “Social isolation is a big problem among seniors and all people. The NBN will help make an enormous difference across the paddocks and across the world.”

Facebook is a popular platform for keeping in touch with grandchildren, she said. “It’s a nice warm feeling, that inter-generational connection.”

But not all seniors are welcoming new technology. “Some are terrified about their privacy and identity theft,” she said: “We try to help our members by informing them of the risks with the internet, such as common-sense practices of changing passwords and not using birthdays or pet names.”

She said many don’t realise the importance of anti-virus programs and the need to update them regularly.

Senior resident Jan MacIndoe called the iPad her “next best friend”.

“I like the convenience of being able to use it everywhere,” she said. Apart from using it for emails and internet browsing, Ms MacIndoe said she uses an app to compile her shopping list.

The Glebe tablet user said she visits her Facebook account often and uses the platform to keep in touch with her far-flung children who live in Boston and Tokyo.