Use of Digital Tools, Social Isolation, and Lockdown in People 80 Years and Older Living at Home.

Cécile Lagarde,Adèle Gauthier,Patrick Manckoundia,France Mourey

doi:10.3390/ijerph19052908

Abstract

The COVID-19 crisis and associated lockdowns have exposed the extent of social isolation among older adults (OAs). Currently, the French government and medical, social, and charitable organizations are working to find means of limiting the multiple psychological and physical consequences of social isolation on the health of OAs. One proposal is to help the elderly become more comfortable using digital tools (DTs). However, the ability of DTs to reduce social isolation is disputed in the literature. This study aimed to collect the views of OAs on social isolation; to identify the determinants of the use or not of DTs, in particular in the context of a lockdown; and the role of DTs in the strategy to reduce social isolation. This qualitative study was based on 27 semi-structured individual interviews with OAs ≥ 80 years, in Côte-d’Or and Haute-Marne (French departments), from March to May 2021. A total of 96.3% of participants had already owned one or more DTs (mobile phone, tablet, or computer) for several years. The lockdown had not prompted the population to equip themselves more. The most common reason for using DTs was to maintain contact with relatives, and 63% of the participants said that DTs have a positive impact in reducing social isolation. However, there is a significant need for assistance and training in their use, especially since many services are now offered online. The participants suggested that the key to minimizing social isolation remained the maintenance of social contacts. In conclusion, DTs appear to be useful for helping the elderly maintain social links with relatives and, therefore, have a strategic place in the reduction of social isolation. However, these tools should not replace in-person interactions.

Highlights

In France in 2017, 900,000 people that were ≥60 years were experiencing social isolation; one third of these individuals were considered to be totally socially isolated because they had virtually no in-person contact with their main social circles [1]
P1 said “I think they bring life anyway, I was very happy to have them when I was in the hospital. We found this link to keep in touch”
To our knowledge, only two French studies from the same organization have analyzed at the discourse of older adults (OAs) ≥ 60 years on their living conditions and the role of digital tools (DTs) during lockdown [12,23]

Summary

Introduction

In France in 2017, 900,000 people that were ≥60 years were experiencing social isolation; one third of these individuals were considered to be totally socially isolated because they had virtually no in-person contact with their main social circles [1]. The age of 85 can be considered the breaking point at which there is a drastic decrease in outings and physical contact [1]. The French population aged ≥65 continues to increase, as does life expectancy [3,4]. Disability-free life expectancy, which is more relevant to quality of life, is increasing. In 2020, a 65-year-old woman could expect to live 12.1 years without disability and a man 10.6 years, which is an increase of 25 months for women and 23 months for men since 2008 [5]

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Discussion

Conclusion