Elderly Social NetworksNatalie, Vignesh, Hayden, & NicoleI&E Capstone Spring 2020

The Team

Natalie Benderly Vignesh Gopalan Hayden Manseau Nicole Yuen

Research Methods

Qualtrics Survey 96 peers answered about Grandparents

Phone Interviews 4 elderly people

Online Research

The Problem: Elderly Social

Isolation

Significance of Elderly Social Isolation

● Risk factor for all-cause mortality

● Raises cortisol → impairs immune system

● Equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes per day

● Associated with $6.7 billion in annual healthcare spending

Overview of Problem Health Implications Economic Implications

● Social circles shrink (quality and quantity) as people age → isolation

○ Friends and significant others pass away

○ Mobility decreases

Increased Isolation Due to COVID-19

“It is a terrible irony of the virus: that for older adults, steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 increase the risks of social isolation, which carries its own devastating health effects.” -John Leland, New York Times

● Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19

● CDC Recommendations:○ People aged 60 and over

should avoid crowds and stay home

○ Nursing homes and assisted care facilities should restrict all visitation and cancel group activities

Market Analysis

At Risk83.4 millionProjected population of seniors

over 65 in 2030 (compared to 56 million today)

1/3Seniors reported feeling a lack of

companionship and isolation

● Average life expectancy of women is 81.2 years, compared to 76.2 years (men)

● Elderly women are 3x as likely as elderly men to be widowed

● Compared to the overall population, 60% of those who live alone reported feeling lonely and isolated

Market Research

Market Research: Qualtrics Survey

Average Happiness By Living Situation Happiness - Deceased Spouse Correlation

Market Research: COVID-19

Impact of COVID-19 on Elderly Community

Market Research: Elderly Interviews

“Coronavirus has affected my normal life. We are very careful and are not socialising. It is very restricted. I ask the welfare of family members through phone or WhatsApp.” - Vignesh’s Grandma

“I am feeling depressed, and I am now feeling much worse because of the virus. I used to have a great social life.” - Jim (Assisted Living Home Resident who Hayden Interviewed)

“I am very anxious about coronavirus, and the media is making me more fearful. Seeing family makes me not feel as isolated” - Nicole’s Grandma

Current Solutions

Current Solutions

Social NetworksFacebook

AARPSenior ChatroomSenior Chatters

DevicesGrandPad

Claris Companion

Communication with Grandparents

ThankYou!

appendix

Begin to require a level of care that exceeds what can be done part-time at home. Need around the clock supervision. At this stage, also start feeling isolated from communities and suffer bouts of loneliness.

Move to assisted living home which provide care, ensure safety, and improve quality of life

Move to residential nursing facility when need help with ADLs (activities of daily living)

Live alone and have family members help when needed