Led by Stanford medical student Meetpaul Singh, Eldernet Link uses technology to improve the lives of seniors by decreasing their social isolation. Introducing technological links in an incremental way, the researchers want to compensate for physical restrictions and help overcome mental isolation by connecting senior people to their family, friends, healthcare providers and the community at large. They are testing the program at Lytton Gardens, a Palo Alto senior apartment complex.
Early response is positive.
It gives them something to do when they are sitting at home instead of looking at the same picture all the time. She goes online four times a day to check her stocks, scan electronic newspapers and read e-mail.