{"id":23005,"date":"2018-01-11T10:28:16","date_gmt":"2018-01-11T15:28:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/?p=23005"},"modified":"2022-03-16T12:15:42","modified_gmt":"2022-03-16T16:15:42","slug":"lancaster-university-develops-app-to-tackle-loneliness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/lancaster-university-develops-app-to-tackle-loneliness\/","title":{"rendered":"Lancaster University Develops App to Tackle Loneliness"},"content":{"rendered":"

A team of researchers from Lancaster University in the UK has developed an app — \u00a0the \u201cSocial Connectedness App\u201d — that can help cure loneliness in older adults. <\/span><\/p>\n

The research to create the \u201cSocial Connectedness App\u201d is part of the \u201c<\/span>Mobile Age<\/span><\/a>\u201d project, and was funded by <\/span>Horizon 2020 EU<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

The \u201cMobile Age\u201d project has universities, local authorities and business professionals from all across Europe working to create mobile open-data services to limit the growing loneliness epidemic in specifically South Lakeland in the UK, Bremen in Germany, Zaragoza in Spain, and Thessaloniki, Greece, said <\/span>Niall Hayes<\/span><\/a>, professor of information and organization at Lancaster University and leader in the UK research. <\/span><\/p>\n

Loneliness has been on a steady rise for older individuals in Europe. The digital age has left seniors feeling increasingly incapable and disconnected with society. According to <\/span>Age UK<\/span><\/a>, loneliness can be as physically harmful as smoking or obesity. This raises a tremendous health concern for the 3.9 million older individuals who claim that the TV is their best friend. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cChanges in lifestyle, for example retiring, losing loved ones, poor health, as well as being a carer can affect people\u2019s ability to take part in social events and meet others,\u201d said Hayes. <\/span><\/p>\n

This new app could reintroduce older individuals to society. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOlder adults are a largely untapped source of smart, sociable people but they are at risk of being excluded from the digital age as they often cannot access the information that others have at their fingertips,\u201d Hayes said in a <\/span>statement<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Rather than isolating them from the digital world, our research looks at co-creating something that works for them \u2013 opening up a brand new world of information that should create more social opportunities and a greater feeling of community.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When the researchers conducted their initial interviews with older people, they learned that the individuals wanted to take part in local events and activities but were worried about safety and convenience. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOlder people may not attend an event if they can\u2019t be sure that they will be able to get there and back safely,\u201d said Hayes. \u201cThat includes knowing how much they would have to walk, if there are obstacles like stairs, if there is space for parking nearby, or there is public transport with stops close enough to the venue. Also knowing where public toilets and benches are could make the journeys more accessible. Some people also have difficulty driving after dark, so knowing if the event finishes in time for them to drive home before darkness falls is also important.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

The \u201cSocial Connectedness App\u201d gives older citizens the necessary information to make a decision on whether they can attend an event or not. <\/span><\/p>\n

The app works by collecting all the open data surrounding local events and services, said Hayes. It shows a list of nightly events and how to attend them. The app displays routes to get to the events, public transportation information, weather and daylight times, and informs its users where the closest bus stops, public toilets, and benches are. <\/span><\/p>\n