Designing Technologies for Social Connection With Older People
Year: 2018
Type: book-chapter
Abstract: Social participation and integration is important for mental and physical wellbeing. However, for many older people, declining health, reduced mobility, and separation from family members and friends can make it difficult to maintain an active social life. A large number of technological interventions have been developed to prevent social isolation and alleviate loneliness. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have the potential to maintain social inclusion by supporting social interaction. However, these are generally designed for younger users, and may not always meet the needs and wishes of older people with regard to social connection. This chapter focuses on the development of ICTs to help older people remain socially connected. Our starting point is that the design of such interventions must be grounded in an understanding of how older people manage their social relationships and deal with loneliness to ensure that any technologies developed are easy to use and fit for purpose. In turn, this can only be achieved if older people are involved in the design process. ‘Co-design’ refers to a range of methods and tools to enable users to engage fully in the design process and so assist IT professionals and other stakeholders to understand users’ everyday practices, needs and experiences (Hartswood et al. 2008).
Source: Berghahn Books
Language: English
Subfield: Demography
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1579312251