The GezelschApp A Dutch mobile application to reduce social isolation and loneliness

The social isolation among older adults is a growing concern, as both social isolation and loneliness have been associated with ill health. Information communication technology can overcome the social and spatial barriers of social interaction by enabling easy affordable communication and activities of multiple form between older adults and others anytime and anywhere. Therefore, technology-supported intervention, such as the GezelschApp could prevent and ameliorate social isolation and loneliness among older adults. The aim of this paper is to introduce this new technology, to provide an overview of the current evaluation and to present the intermediate results concerning the usability of end-user acceptance of this technology. The GezelschApp is a mobile application to reduce social isolation and loneliness among older adults. This application, also accessible by PC and tablet, gives older adults access to a homepage with six features (an inbox for messages, news, activities, information, tips and friends). On beforehand interested older adults are screened by a coach before they receive a personal access code. During the 3 months evaluation of the GezelschApp the usability, end-user acceptance, level of experienced loneliness and quality of life are assessed. Although the evaluation of the GezelschApp is still running, the first focus groups (n=10) with users highlight the need of the current application to make new friends in a save manner and to participate in social activities.