By Tom Kamber
Social media holds the promise of connecting everyone, everywhere, all the time. For isolated older adults, it would seem an antidote to aging’s social afflictions: an adaptable solution that can revitalize old acquaintances, strengthen existing relationships and spawn new connections.
But three studies, plus lessons learned from a recent project at Older Adults Technology Services (OATS), shed new light on the link between social media use and older adult isolation, providing clarification on which tools are most effective, and how older people leverage them for maximum effect.