U3A Digital Mentoring Program and PEER Model explained in new report
New report unpacks a unique initiative designed to reduce digital exclusion and social isolation among older adults
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Bridging the Technology Gap
and Social Isolation in
Older Adults
The Shaping Connections program provides insights, research outcomes, collaborative opportunities, workshops and resources to industry to assist with bridging the technology gap and social isolation in older Adults.
WHAT WE DO
We connect with industry to provide insights on how technology promotes social inclusion through our tailored workshops, educational programs and partnerships.
We collaborate with industry and researchers on projects that are community based and look into the problems and experiences of community members in order to understand how technology impacts them.
We provide resources developed from our research outcomes to support industry and community organisations to understand how seniors navigate technological barriers and the digital divide.
INTERACTIVE TOOLS
Are you a Senior?
Use our interactive tools to support a self-assessment of where you are with digital technology.
Are you working in industry?
Gain insights into the kinds of challenges facing Senior's when it comes to digital technology and educate your organisation in strategies to support bridging the gap.
RESEARCH SHOWS THAT
44% of people aged over 65 years’ experience social exclusion, which is twice the rate of exclusion for other age groups.
At least 10% of senior Australians suffer from loneliness or social isolation, a number that has failed to drop over the last two decades.
So we realised something had to be done about it. Explore tools, resources and collaborative opportunities to effect change.
“Older people are keen to learn technology. They are very diverse in the way they deal with technology, and we need to understand the complexity of their situation and the various ways they engage with technology.”
ASSOC PROF BERNARDO FIGUEIREDO
SHAPING CONNECTIONS CO-FOUNDER & DEPUTY DIRECTOR
ABOUT US
Shaping Connections is a research program bringing together academics from RMIT and stakeholders from the University of Third Age (U3A) Network Victoria seeking to understand how technology use supports seniors’ connectedness and enhances social inclusion and participation. Connectedness enhances an older adult’s wellbeing and has a positive effect on physical and mental health.
Our team consists of passionate researchers and industry partners with expertise in areas such as consumer behaviour, social marketing, consumer culture theory, emerging technology, educating seniors and design innovation management. Our team regularly publish their research and ensure strategies they develop are specifically tailored for seniors.
“The Shaping Connections program focuses on working with ways we can alleviate social inclusion that is found in almost half of our aging population”.
DR TORGEIR ALETI
SHAPING CONNECTIONS CO-FOUNDER & DEPUTY DIRECTOR
CONNECT
WITH
Is your organisation wanting to know more about how to bridge the digital divide with older adults? Contact us to find out about how we can work together.
In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
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