Technologies that improve social connectedness and engagement continue to be good investments, based on the results of a recent study. For older adults who live in their communities, having access to technology reduced their risk of social isolation, the National Health Aging Trends Study has found.

The research looked at results of questionnaires from 6,704 community-dwelling adults aged 65 and up from the years 2015 to 2019.

Older adults who had access to a cell phone or computer and who used email or text messaging in the prior year had a lower risk of social isolation than those who did not use technology. The findings held true over four years, where those who had computer access had a lower risk for social isolation than those who did not.

The full report is published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

CAST Social Connectedness and Engagement Technology Tool

To bring more connectedness to your residents, use the LeadingAge CAST Social Connectedness and Engagement Technology Tool. It will help you to learn about these technologies and narrow the many choices available on the market to those that are the best fit for your organization. The tool includes a white paper, online selection tool, technology matrix, and provider case studies.

It is one of nine CAST Technology Selection Tools:

• Data Analytics Online Selection Tool
• EHR Selection Tool
• Functional Assessment and Activity Monitoring Technology Selection Tool
• Health Information Exchange (HIE) Selection Tools
• Medication Management Selection Tool
• Safety Technology Selection Tool
• Shared Care Planning and Coordination Technology Selection Tool
• Social Connectedness and Engagement Technology Selection Tool
• Telehealth and RPM Selection Tool