The EU-funded SENTAB project is integrating digital technology with traditional televisions in order to prevent loneliness among senior citizens.
The onset of social isolation, or loneliness, among senior citizens is becoming a significant societal problem – one that leads to poor health and high social costs. According to a 2014 study commissioned by Age UK, 49 % of people age 65 and older cite television or pets as being their primary form of company. More so, of the 162 million senior citizens in Europe, nearly 65 million claim to be affected by loneliness. Because nearly 40 % of older adults are not online, they are unable to benefit from the social aspects of today’s digital technology. For those who are online, 80 % say they need someone to walk them through an application before they are able to understand it.
Further information: Keeping senior citizens connected