A Phone for Elderly Health

Health Benefits

Studies show that frequent FACE-TO-FACE video conversation, with family and friends, can improve mental and physical health:

Depression

Those without FACE-TO-FACE contact with FAMILY or FRIENDS at least 3 TIMES PER WEEK have DOUBLE the risk of DEPRESSION

A recent OHSU study by Dr. Alan Teo of 11,000 seniors shows that social contact can HALVE the incidence of depression over 2 years:

• Face-to-face is key. Phone or written contact doesn’t reduce depression.
• Family & friends contact is vital. Socializing with staff or others has no impact.
• 3 times per week is required. Weekly contact shows no measurable benefit.
• Another study quoted shows that derived gains endure for at least 10 years.

Source: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Oct 2015.

Cognitive Decline

Face-to-face calls can improve brain power

An OHSU study of elderly (average age 80.5) shows that video conversation can improve cognitive function of those with and without dementia:

• Face-to-face is key. The control group, who were only telephoned, did not experience the measured benefit.
• A user-friendly interface was used for just 30 minutes a day of face-to-face conversation over the Internet.
• Enthusiasm: Adherence was high with no dropouts and 89% of daily video conversations completed.
• Results measured improvements to psychomotor speed (movement and coordination), and semantic and phonemic fluency (listening and talking).
• Authors suggested video conversation could offer cost-effective home-based prevention.
• A current 2017-2022 NIH-funded study is quantifying the slowing of cognitive decline and delay of dementia onset.

Source: Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, Jun 2015.

Aged Care and Video communications

Nearly half of elderly nursing home patients are depressed

Dr D. Meyer study “Social isolation and telecommunication” of nursing homes concludes:

• Half of residents are not satisfied with communication with family members.
• 41-46% of residents are mildly or severely depressed.
• 82% are interested in video communication.

Source: Gerontechnology, 2011 Vol 10.

Social relationships encourage healthy habits

A study “Quality in Ageing and Older Adults” shows that social relationships:

• encourage adequate sleep, diet, exercise and medication compliance,
• discourage smoking, excessive eating and alcohol abuse.
• As a health risk, social isolation is worse than cigarette smoking and physical inactivity.
• The digital revolution has left many older people behind.

Sources: “Social Isolation Kills, but how and why?” Psychosomatic Medicine, Vol 63; and an analysis of 148 studies published in PLoS Medicine, Jul 2010.

Cancer growth

Patients battling cancer require better social support

A 2018 study co-authored by experts from Europe and Australia shows that:

• Social isolation accelerates tumor growth.
• The emotional toll of loneliness detracts from efforts to combat disease.
• Some US cancer centres now evaluate patients’ social supports as part of treatment.

Source: “Social environment mediates cancer progression”, Nature Communications, Sep 2018.

Loneliness and Dementia

Feelings of loneliness predict dementia onset

The 3-year Amsterdam Study of 2,173 elderly shows that:

• Feeling lonely is a predictor for dementia.
• Interventions are required to reduce the risk of dementia.

Source: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 2014.

Poor Sleep

Loneliness can lead to sleep fragmentation

Studies show:

• Loneliness is a predictor for poor sleep.
• Higher loneliness is associated with significantly more fragmented sleep.
• Loneliness impairs daytime functioning.

Sources: American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2011; Health Psychology, Mar 2010

Heart disease

Loneliness can lead to high blood pressure

Studies show:

• Loneliness predicts increased systolic blood pressure.
• Blood pressure is 30 points higher.
• The health effect of loneliness accumulates over time.
• The effect is independent of social support.

Sources: Psychology and Aging, Mar 2010; Science Daily, Mar 2006

Functional decline

Loneliness increases functional decline

A University of California UCSF study of Health and Retirement shows that:

• Loneliness decreases by 59% the ability to perform daily activities such as upper extremity tasks, climbing stairs and even walking.
• In the group studied, the rate of death was 45% higher.

Source: JAMA Archives of Internal Medicine, Jun 2012

Mortality

Social isolation is significantly associated with greater mortality

An English Longitudinal Study of Ageing shows that:

• Social relationships are critical to health.
• It’s a particular problem at older ages.
• Increased risks include infectious illness and cognitive deterioration.

Source: Proc National Academy of Sciences 2013.

Health benefits of sharing a smile

Happiness is associated with health in older adults

Studies suggest grinning and laughter are the best medicine:

• Optimism protects older adults against stroke (Stroke AHA Journal, 2011).
• Smile intensity predicts longevity (Psychological Science, Apr 2010).
• Activating smile muscles generates positive emotions (Psychological Science, Sep 1993).