Seniors to stay ‘better’ connected

A new smartphone app has been designed for older users to combat social isolation and loneliness in seniors.

The new app, called ‘Tapestry’, combines social networking services such as Facebook, email and other features most users would take for granted onto one interface.

Tapestry founder, Andrew Dowling, said the ‘easy to use’ interface would help seniors stay better connected to their families and combat feelings of isolation and loneliness common among many older people.

The recently launched platform has no Western Australian users as yet but Sydney based Mr Dowling said there had been a huge take up from international users.

Mr Dowling said the interface had also received strong interest from aged care groups who wanted to use the technology to provide additional services for residents.

“We know that more people are going to be living beyond the age of 80 than ever before, and that the existing model for aged care isn’t going to cope,’” he said.

“Aged care facilities have been very interested in the application of the technology in terms of providing services – just mundane things like booking trips or doing the shopping, but also community building aspects as well.”

The platform has recently completed a trial with Christian aged care provider Wesley Mission.

After the trial, 80% of the seniors involved felt more positive not only about the technology but also Wesley Mission itself, and two-thirds of seniors on the trial signed up for Tapestry when the trial completed.