COVID-19 has widened the gap for seniors
“As the issue of the wellbeing of older Australians comes into focus, there is growing recognition that they must be active participants in the modern, digital world.” - YourLink: The Digital Paradox for Seniors report, 2019.
The findings of YourLink’s 2019 market research are even more relevant and poignant today, than they were last year. For our seniors, nothing has changed - they want to be active participants in the world, not be left behind, or worse, left out. We have checked back with a subset of the seniors who contributed to our 2019 research to find out their views on today. Some sobering, but not surprising themes have emerged as they experience heightened isolation.
The world has shifted dramatically in the last 2 months as a result of COVID-19. It’s become more digital more quickly than any of us could have imagined. With this shift, the divide between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ have widened - that is in terms of digital skills and enablement. Our mission is to enable seniors to actively be part of this digital revolution by building their digital literacy - and we are seeing that the ‘have nots’ are much more disadvantaged today than they were last year.
Not only the digital gap … but the social one too
Seniors were already an isolated group pre-COVID-19. 1 in 4 people aged over 65 lives on their own and 40% of all aged care residents don’t receive a visitor all year round.
Many of us agree that the phrase ‘social distancing’ is inherently flawed. Seniors who are already isolated, are most at risk of becoming more isolated and the term ‘social distancing’ for them feels more acute than for the rest of us. Physical distancing will likely remain with seniors for the remainder of the year in some way or another and is vital for their protection as more vulnerable community members. But at what mental and wellbeing cost - they don’t need social isolation on top of that.
Getting comfortable with video platforms has become fast tracked
In the Digital Paradox for Seniors report, we found only 18% of seniors used video as a regular method for communicating. Obviously that was before COVID-19. Video has now become more mainstream, commonly accepted, or actually, expected. It’s now a critical part of ‘seeing’ each other to maintain everything from social connection and family gatherings, to medical consultations and remote learning. Seniors are again disadvantaged as use of video grows. Those without access or confidence to use video conferencing are even more isolated, as the normal ‘traffic’ in their lives is reduced. They are restricted to home and so the reassuring presence of smiling faces and warm conversation is missing, made more disheartening as their lack of digital literacy is again exposed.
Family and friends even more removed from seniors
In 2019, 80% of seniors also told us that they rely on family and friends for support, and that this support was often unavailable, due to time or distance. Today that ‘availability’ has become even more strained. In the current climate, carers and families are struggling to balance the life complexity that COVID-19 has created. Between working from home, home schooling children and managing their own personal mental health, adult children are also trying to put support in place to help get mum or dad online. When it comes to friend and peer networks, these groups are no longer meeting, creating a social connection void that is desperately missed - both of which make the ‘distance’ for seniors all the more obvious.
This situation is amplified when, with all best intentions in keeping their loved ones safe, families are also suspending care services into the seniors home. So that means family and friends are not present and the regular interactions with home carers are also lacking - the cumulative impact of this on our seniors is devastating.
Social learning has a new face
96% of our seniors told us they love social learning - and that they would attend other events similar to our Tea & Technology sessions where we bring together groups to learn about their devices. But, what happens when social learning is no longer available in the format that is familiar to our seniors? Everyone has to find a way to adapt. There are fantastic stories of how social learning is evolving. Be Connected network partners have shared how they are moving to online Zoom sessions with up to 30 seniors participating. We have also innovated our Tea & Technology events to be delivered on line and are being offered as shorter Zoom sessions. And, surprise, for those of our seniors that are able to participate, they embrace the experience and engage in the learning with their usual passion and energy.
Online delivery relies on digital ability and access
This pace of change has also revealed another gap - the assumption of a level of digital skills and access that enables equitable participation. This is not true and needs to be rapidly addressed by providers, peak bodies and companies like YourLink. The launch of CovidSafe app, on the back of the Fires Near Me app over the Australian Summer, highlights a disconnect in getting information for a group that already feels excluded from information. “Without the baseline levels of digital literacy, they cannot participate in this new consumer experience and so are left outside of it.” - YourLink: The Digital Paradox for Seniors report, 2019
COVID-19 Update Story
Reconnecting with joy through music
One gentleman we recently spoke with has shared how the iPad and Spotify have been ‘fantastic'. With his social outings cancelled and finding the constant news cycle depressing and overwhelming, he’s found the joy of rediscovering music that helps him escape. Spotify is playing daily with songs from the past that remind him of his homeland and memorable moments with family and friends. ‘Wonderful’ were his words when describing having so many songs at his fingertips at this time when he is stuck at home.
While the gap is there - there is great hope
Having said all this, there is hope and bridging this gap is possible! Seniors have shared with us wonderful stories in recent weeks of meeting new great grandchildren via FaceTime, enjoying audio books through their library card and passing the time rediscovering music from their past on Spotify. And we are excited to see the response from some of our clients to get on the front foot, prioritising digital enablement and inclusion as a building block in their pathway out of the COVID-19 world.