Grateful for technology and intergenerational contact

“Wow, i can see you, this is so much better than a telephone call” Mary, 90 years.

Covid-19 has profoundly affected mental health, increasing loneliness and anxiety across society. Those aged 65 and over (12 million people in UK) are particularly vulnerable at this time especially the 4 million living alone

Whilst many of us have turned to technology to combat this (the various platforms for video calls are overwhelming even for the tech savvy),is this leaving out some of those most in need? — the elderly. The inverse care law is well known across health and social care spheres. It is the principle that the availability of good medical or social care tends to vary inversely with the need of the population served. I’m sure this is applicable in many cases here. Mobile phone use in the elderly is significantly less than younger age groups for example.

I implore you not to assume though. Just as those of an older generation can be more than capable of utilising new technology advancements those of us younger are not immune to technological humiliation. Lets not forget Liz Ocampo who went viral when she turned herself into a potato and couldn’t work out how to turn herself back during a team meeting.

GP surgeries are now a hotbed of video calls and it is often surprising who has been able to utilise these. Do not write off your elderly relatives or friends. Human contact is at a premium now and it may surprise you how tech ready some of your older relatives or friends have become or are motivated to become.

A relative in her 90’s video called a friend last week and managed to share her screen which revealed a rather shocking moment of Game of Thrones. ‘’I’ve just found out what all those red wedding references relate to’’ she exclaimed with a smile. So, connect — help set them up if need be, then give them a video call or send a whatsapp. They’ll be grateful; and you’ll be grateful you did!