Staying Connected: Tech & Engagement โKey to Well-being in Retirement
Aโค new study from the University of Georgia highlights the crucial link between technology use, continued workforce โparticipation, โand โคsocial engagement among older adults. Researchers found that remaining socially activeโ is vital for theโ well-being of those aged 65 and older, and โคboth utilizing technology and โmaintaining connectionsโค toโ the workforce can help โachieve this.
The research, published in the Journalโ ofโค Applied Gerontology, utilized data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study,โข a national survey trackingโ the experiences of Americans 65+ regarding technology, employment, and social activity. The findings indicate โฃthat older adults who are either employed or regularly use technology to connect with others demonstrate higher levels of โsocial activity – including visiting friends and family, volunteering, and participating in leisureโข activities.
However, the study also revealed a potential “downturn” in social engagement for retirees. Leaving the workforce often leads to a shrinking socialโค network due โtoโฃ the loss โฃof daily interaction โฃwith colleagues. This transition can be particularly challenging, as South Koreans, who frequently โenough retire before โage 60, frequently experience anxiety and mental โคhealth issues following theirโฃ departure โfrom employment.
Researchers point โto โthe potential ofโค technology to bridge this gap. Programs offering technology training, like โthose observed in South Korea where โคretirees taughtโ classes to peers, proved beneficial. Participants โnot only gainedโข valuable skills but also experienced aโข renewed sense of purpose andโฃ social connection.
“We need to put in a concerted effort to support โolder adults during the transitionโฃ from work to retirementโ by providing resources โsuch as technology training,community programs โand flexible opportunities to stayโฃ socially active,” explains Allison Dunnigan,a coauthor of theโ study and associate professor atโข the School of Social Work.โข “Both technology use and โcontinued workforce participation help sustain social engagement, which protects older adults’ well-being.”
The study emphasizes that technology and employment are not mutually exclusive, butโข rather complementary.While โthreeโ out of four adults over 65 already own a smartphone or computer, many don’t fully โฃutilize โtheir capabilities. This can be due to a lack of knowledge or, critically, a lack of reliable internet access, particularly โin rural communities like those found in Georgia.
Addressing these barriers – through increased internet โaccess and ongoing technology โขeducation โ- is seen as key to improving social engagement and overall health.โ Researchers โฃstress that staying socially connected isโฃ intrinsically linked to a โขhigher quality of life and potentially increased โฃlongevity.
“Getting engaged inโ society is very โvital for all human โขbeings,” says researcherโ Lee. “Social engagement โincludes โvolunteering, contact with friends and family, hobbies, all sorts of things. These kinds of activities โขareโค very important for older adults to enhance their quality of life.”
