JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Older people are particularly vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation due to common age-related changes. The ability to maintain social relationships is considered important for health and well-being and is an essential aspect of healthy aging. The use of information and communication technology (ICT) has been shown to promote social connectedness and social support among older people; however, many existing solutions require already established contacts and are not developed based on expressed needs among older people experiencing loneliness or social isolation.

Objective:

The overarching aim of this study was to develop a prototype health and welfare technology intervention for decreasing loneliness and/or social isolation among older people.

Methods:

This study describes the iterative design process in three phases when designing a prototype digital intervention for decreasing loneliness and/or social isolation in older people through participatory design procedures with several key stakeholders. Phase I explored social service staff members’ perceptions of how social isolation and/or experiences of loneliness among older people can be reduced by health and welfare technology. Phase II explored needs related to loneliness and social isolation perceived by older people and how these needs may be targeted by using health and welfare technology. In phase III, codesign workshops were conducted with key stakeholders.

Results:

The main result of the study was the creation of a paper prototype of the [Masked for peer review], which is a digital solution supporting social interaction among people experiencing loneliness and/or social isolation. The results from the different phases contributed to the development of fulfilling this need in the [Masked for peer review], which consists of a digital break room with coffee tables for social interaction by video, audio or chat; a bulletin board for announcements for interactions inside or outside of the [Masked for peer review]; and a profile page.

Conclusions:

The iterative codesign process may have contributed to the [Masked for peer review] being perceived as easy to use and possibly decreasing perceived loneliness and social isolation.