Study shows online cultural events can benefit lonely elderly | Psychological health

We remember it well from the first closing. Zoom weekly mandatory exams and stream cultural events held online.

While most of us can head to the local bar again and enjoy the return of the good old Sunday Tests, some people are still stuck at home. Research indicates that online cultural activities such as museum tours can significantly improve the mental and physical health of seniors staying at home.

Dr Olivier Bouchet, a professor at McGill University in Montreal and lead author of the study, said: Published in Frontiers in Medicine.

Social isolation and loneliness, which are often more severe in older adults As harmful to health as long-term illness It can lead to premature death. Successive closures during the pandemic only make things worse.

The researchers suggest that just one virtual trip to the museum per week can promote social inclusion and improve the physical and mental well-being of older adults.

The team recruited 106 community adults aged 65 and older to investigate the potential health benefits of art-based activities. Half of the participants attended weekly online tours of museums followed by an informal discussion, while the other half did not participate in any cultural activities before or during the three-month study period.

People who joined the visits recorded improvements in feelings of social inclusion, well-being and quality of life, as well as decreased physical weakness, compared to those who did not attend the guided tours.

More than two million people over the age of 75 live alone in England, and more than a million say they sometimes go for more than a month without any social contact, according to the charity Age UK.

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Professor Yang Hu, from Lancaster University, said: “This study shows that with appropriate infrastructure, age-friendly access and technical support, digital technology can benefit the mental health and well-being of older adults.”

The necessary technical guidance is often lacking, which is why Leave the default contact the elderly feel lonely of no contact at all during a pandemic.

“Unfortunately, older people are often left to their own devices to navigate technology,” Hu said. He added that unprepared and prolonged digital exposure can lead to stress and burnout in people who are not tech-savvy.

“With adequate support, the potential for scaling up this type of intervention is great,” said Dr Snorri Ravenson, from University of West London.

However, not everyone can access online resources and activities. “There are huge barriers to older people living in the community – lack of internet, knowledge, support, financial issues, and so on,” Ravenson said. “Studies show that those who have a family around them, and a supportive social network, are more likely to use and use online technology.”

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