Using the Internet and email alleviates depression of the elderly

Seniors using the Internet. (Creative Commons)

A study at the Phoenix Center for Advanced Legal & Economic Public Policy Studies reports that use of the Internet by the elderly helps them feel less depressed. Depression is a large factor in initiating many health issues with the elderly as they feel they are less involved and can become withdrawn and lonely. Many seniors find that after a lifetime of working and being the family providers, now find that they begin to become depressed after retirement. As they continue to age, they may feel less involved and as if they are not needed by others. Often, as they do not want to become burdens on their families, they continue to live alone and if they do not keep involved in outside activities, they will enter into depression, which usually leads to mental and physical health issues.

The Phoenix Center study reports that “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 directs over $7 billion to expand broadband availability throughout the U.S. with one portion of the population to benefit being senior citizens."

The Center’s findings further report “With an eye on measuring causal relationships, we show below that applying a variety of econometric and statistical analyses to a large sample of retired Americans (age 55 or older) reveals that Internet use contributes positively to mental well-being, and estimates indicate that Internet use leads to about a 20% reduction in depression classification. Our findings therefore suggest that the development of demand-side broadband access and education programs for the elderly may produce significant societal benefits. These benefits can then be measured against the projected costs of such programs to determine a part of the expected net payoff of public policies aimed at improving Internet use by the elderly.”

The age of computers and the Internet is a strange and often times, a fearful world to the elderly. As they hear negative stories in the media, about crime, scams and stealing personal information, they are reenforced with this fear. Seniors are not aware of the protective measures that can be taken to use the Internet as the whole technology is totally foreign to them. We must remember that new technology is not something they grew up with, but something that was created near the end of their work life.

There are always those pioneers who look at invention and creation of new ideas with the same wonder that they possessed all throughout their lives. Some seniors who may have re-entered the workforce for part time jobs found that they needed to learn to use a computer as part of the job and found it fascinating!

One senior, Calvin, has always been an adventurer, as he moved from the safe haven of his hometown in his youth, away from most of his family. This is probably the same aspect of his personality that gave him the curiosity to begin using a computer and email as a social connection with other family members and friends.

Calvin says, “I have been using the internet for quite a few years. I began on my own as I wanted to see how to use various sites. I never attended any classes, I just asked my family a lot of questions. I feel the value of the Internet is being able to keep in touch with family and friends, check bank statements, etc. I'm concerned about safety and others stealing information, but I am smart enough not to give out any personal information on-line.”

source for the Phoenix Center study: Phoenix Center Press Release

For more information and resources about elder care, check the Pittsburgh Elder Care Examiner homepage.