Discussion Group: Assisted living – connecting older people to friends and relatives
This discussion will examine the case for connecting older people to friends and relatives, and the many technological suggestions that have been made for doing so.
Social isolation has been identified as a problem amongst some groups of older people. Also reducing resources for paid help for an ageing population mean that less able people must be reconnected with their able friends and relatives. Modern communication technologies present numerous opportunities for connecting people, what is missing is a compelling business model.
Andrew Monk is Professor of Psychology at the University of York and has considerable experience of research in: usability, assistive technology, and electronically mediated communication.