Case Study: Getting social with seniors

Social isolation is a serious problem for seniors. Common technology, however, can help them connect with their carers – and with other people.

The Challenge: To use readily available technology to help seniors connect with carers and peers.

The Approach: An iMac, broadband and Skype software.

The Outcomes: The trial group has not only connected with carers, but also formed an ad-hoc social network.

The Lessons Learned: Smart technological solutions can be funded within existing financial constraints.

The Upside for:

Clinicians: Carers are able to connect with more clients, and reduce their travelling time.

Patients: Patients are easily monitored, with the side benefit of being able to engage with peers and with the world.

The Organisation: A reduction of 30% in travel times and costs, along with better support outcomes for clients.

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The Care Connect Story

Social isolation is a growing problem for Australian seniors. Disability, the death of a partner, even the increasing frailty which comes with age, can cut people off from their peers and their community.

“We estimate twenty percent of seniors are socially isolated,” said Paul Ostrowski, chief executive of Care Connect. “By 2050, as the population ages, that could mean as many as 1.8 million people.”

Care Connect, an aged care services provider, has come up with what it views as a solution. And the solution doesn’t cost the taxpayer a cent more than it already pays to look after seniors in the community.

iCareConnect uses commonly available, consumer-grade technology to help isolated seniors connect with their carers. And one of the added benefits seen from the trial is that they also use the technology to connect with their peers, forming ad-hoc social networks.

The care package uses an Apple iMac, Skype video conferencing software, and a broadband connection. A trackpad is substituted for the mouse, mainly because people with arthritis find them easier to use.

Care Connect has equipped nine clients with the iCareConnect package. It aims to expand the trial to 70 people later this year, with a view to rolling it out to their 850 clients at a later date.

Rod and Hilary Mellis were among the first nine selected for the trial. Hilary, who is 60, primarily cares for Rod, 68, however they also have had support from CareConnect in the form of nursing staff, and people to help with jobs around the home, including cleaning and gardening.

“Rod has a history of severe osteoarthritis,” explained Mrs Mellis. “By the time he was 55 he was basically unable to work.”

Mr Mellis’ illness caused severe financial hardship. The couple lost a family business, and was unable to afford the massage and physiotherapy he needed.

Initial overtures to an aged care assessment team were fruitless. Subsequent intervention by the Hospitals Admissions Risk Program (HARP) team allowed the couple to receive assistance from Care Connect, and they were then selected for the iCareConnect trial program.

Having the computer and broadband connection has allowed Mr Mellis to have regular interactions with his care team. They book a time to talk online, and then connect via Skype.

“We can see subtle changes in a client’s behavior,” noted Mr Ostrowski. “It gives us an indication of whether there’s a possible health issue going on.”

Mr Ostrowski told eHealthspace.org the trial has not only had significant benefits for trial participants, but also for the organisation. Nurses, who previously spent at least 30 percent of their time on the road, are able to see more patients in a single day.

The high-resolution video transmitted by Skype also allows the consultations to be as close to face-to-face as possible, noted Mr Ostrowski.

However one of the benefits of the trial was unforeseen: the trial members not only connected with their carers, but with each other. “You can talk to people when you need to – and you can talk to people in the same situation as you,” said Mr Mellis. “It is the greatest thing ever.” High praise, indeed, from someone who had not previously used a modern computer or the internet.

The computer has opened up a world for Mr Mellis not previously available to him, his wife said. “He has a new hobby now,” she commented. “He used to just watch TV, but this is a new area of interest. He’s able to do email and keep in touch. He’s also taken an interest in photos and printing them off.”

The iCareConnect package is delivered under the funding already allocated by the federal government to seniors. It’s a positive development in the aged care sector, where funding is already tight, and the number of people needing assistance grows steadily.

Carers have also responded positively, said Mr Ostrowski. “I had one case manager with tears in her eyes when we talked about it,” he said. “One Skype call is worth ten phone calls, the case worker commented. You can really see what’s going on with the clients.”