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Building social communities

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7 Ideas
28 Votes
39 Comments
22 Participants

How can technology support social connections and prevent loneliness?

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We want to hear about your experiences of ageing from your own lives, that of loved ones or through your work in healthcare. Share your problems, needs and ideas. Vote and comment on other ideas.

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Conversation starter

U3A online

My Mum is a member of U3A but since coronavirus many of the social activities have stopped (languages, art classes). I am wondering if there might be some help available to get U3A organisers across the country online and training members in Zoom. Many of the activities can be done at home but it’s nice to be able to chat at the same time.

3 Score
Comments 3
Conversation starter
Useful insight

Electronic musical instruments for disabled older people.

There was some research done several years ago by The Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Sage Centre in Gateshead on playing music in retirement and how it improved the quality of people's lives.  However some disabled people are not able to play traditional musical instruments.  I was wondering if there were any easily portable electronic instruments that could be played by people who are either very physically disabled or have dementia so that they can join in with others. The...

3 Score
Comments 3
Useful insight

Microphone for NIV masks

I would love it if a microphone could be invented for Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) masks so that our elderly patients can hear and understand us whilst having their therapy, rather than taking the mask off to communicate and therefore losing the benefits of the mask. 

3 Score
Comments 6
Idea thumbnail
Innovative idea!

Personalised Location Based Radio - The Community Hub

Music is a great connector, and relieves stress and loneliness. We have a pilot radio service called Blue Moon Radio in 4 care homes playing songs from 1927-1965. It has proved very popular, particularly during the Covid-19 lock-down. The platform is very flexible and we would like to adapt it for community use. The service working well in care could be the model for a community service, and there are a number of features that make is potentially suitable to breaking down loneliness and...

7 Score
Comments 11
Idea thumbnail

Getting help and support as a carer

Every year, approximately two million people become carers in the UK and according to a recent study by Age UK, there are now over 2million carers aged 65+, 417,000 of whom are aged 80 and over.  Caring for another person can be highly rewarding, but sometimes it becomes a challenging job. Carers often report feeling lonely and socially isolated as a result of their caring responsibilities.  This is a space to share experiences and ideas on the social support that carers need and the...

2 Score
Comments 3
Innovative idea!
Useful insight

Pop up paper shop

Its not a paper shop selling papers! Councils make it easy for an older persons group to form and take a cheap lease with no rates on and empty shop.  The daily papers are free and there's tea on the go. Staffed by volunteers. Its as fancy or as simple as you want to make it. Its open early and maybe only runs till lunch. It depends on the staff. So groups could visit or individuals. The idea is to give you somewhere to read the papers that's not home! Get a cup of tea and a rap about...

6 Score
Comments 8
Idea thumbnail

Combating elderly loneliness

Prior to COVID-19, over a million of odler people in the UK said that they often or always feel lonely.  Chronic loneliness is not only harmful for your mental health, but it hurts health as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day (e.g. it negatively impacts cardiovascular health, increases a likelihood of cancer and Alzheimer's disease). Moreover, there is a link between loneliness and suicide in seniors. Older people may be lonely due to their health problems and disability, due to being...

4 Score
Comments 5