Video Chats Can Ease Social Isolation for Older Adults During Pandemic

University of Waterloo researchers Victoria Atabakhsh and Joe Todd write in The Conversation that video chats can help mitigate older adults' forced isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Video calling platforms can help support the development of a stronger sense of connection and maintain already existing relationships," they note. Free video chat apps accessible to older adults include WhatsApp, FaceTime, Skype, and Zoom. "While many have the means to connect with the outside world, roughly one-third of Americans over the age of 65 say that they never use the Internet, and 49 percent say they do not have a home Internet service," the authors point out. "This makes it likely that many older adults will need some help with technology. If you are a younger family or community member, you can help." Atabakhsh and Todd write that when dropping off essentials for older adults, loved ones should "remind them of the available apps on their phone that enable video calling. If someone does not have a smartphone, look for spare or old phones you could use to set them up with essential numbers and apps."