The Power of Connection: ONSCREEN’s Impact on Senior Health and Happiness

Staying connected with family is crucial for the emotional and mental well-being of older adults. However, many seniors face significant challenges with technology, making it difficult to maintain these vital connections. That’s where ONSCREEN and our video calling for seniors technology comes in. We’re here to bridge this gap, transforming televisions into interactive senior care hubs that make family video calls, telehealth, and social events a breeze, using an easy video calling for seniors solution.

As a customer-focused company, we wanted to better understand the benefits our customers were experiencing. Were we truly helping make people happier and less lonely? These are such important aspects of our mental health. So, we conducted some surveys to find out. This blog post delves into the impressive outcomes of using ONSCREEN, highlighting improvements in happiness, reductions in loneliness, and enhanced well-being. We also address the common technology pain points faced by seniors.

Loneliness isn't just a fleeting feeling—it's a serious health risk. The CDC has shown significant risks for people experiencing loneliness and social isolation, including an increased risk of premature death from all causes. People who are lonely have a 50% increased risk of dementia, a 29% increased risk of heart disease, and a 32% increased risk of stroke.¹ These numbers are staggering and highlight the urgent need to find solutions that keep our loved ones connected and engaged.

Research¹ also indicates that loneliness can lead to a decline in physical health, increased rates of depression, and a general decrease in quality of life. By ensuring seniors stay connected with family and friends through easy-to-use technology, we can help mitigate these risks and promote a healthier, happier life.

ONSCREEN's Video Calling for Seniors Outcomes of Existing Customers

To measure the impact of ONSCREEN on our users, we conducted a survey with caregivers of older adults who had been using the service for at least 90 days and had completed a minimum of ten calls between the caregiver and their loved one. This methodology ensured that participants had sufficient experience with the platform to provide meaningful feedback.

Reduction in Loneliness

The survey also asked caregivers if they believed ONSCREEN was helping to reduce their loved one’s loneliness. An overwhelming 88% of caregivers affirmed that ONSCREEN's video calling for seniors solution reduces loneliness. Specifically, 58% responded "Very much so," 28% responded "Somewhat," and none of the respondents felt that it had no effect on loneliness.

Improvements in Happiness

Caregivers were asked to rate their loved one’s happiness on a scale of 1 to 10 before and after using ONSCREEN. The average happiness score before using ONSCREEN was 4.9, while the average score after using the service jumped to 7.5. This represents a 53% improvement in happiness, with 76% of caregivers observing an increase in their loved one's happiness.

Enhancement in Well-being

When it came to overall well-being, 86% of caregivers reported that ONSCREEN was beneficial. Of these, 56% responded "Very much so" and 32% responded "Somewhat," indicating a strong positive impact on the well-being of their loved ones.

These results clearly show that ONSCREEN not only enhances the happiness and well-being of seniors but also significantly reduces feelings of loneliness, highlighting the profound positive effects of maintaining regular, meaningful connections with family and friends through accessible technology.

Summary Results for ONSCREEN's Video Calling for Seniors Customers

Improvements in Happiness

• Average happiness score before using ONSCREEN: 4.9
• Average happiness score after using ONSCREEN: 7.5
• 53% improvement in happiness
• 76% of caregivers observed an increase in happiness

Reduction in Loneliness

• 88% of caregivers believe ONSCREEN reduces loneliness
  • 58% responded "Very much so"
  • 28% responded "Somewhat"
  • 0% responded "Not at all"

Enhancement in Well-being

• 86% of caregivers believe ONSCREEN helps with well-being
  • 56% responded "Very much so"
  • 32% responded "Somewhat"
  • 0% responded "Not at all"

General Population Surveys about Video Calling for Seniors

As part of our work with the AARP AgeTech Collaborative Accelerator, we were able to deploy several surveys to consumers, to better understand their needs regarding our aging population.  These surveys were delivered digitally to consumers that don’t have technical challenges, but we also deployed in-person surveys at senior centers and senior communities to make sure that we capture the technology challenges of those that don’t use technology as much.

The first survey we discuss below involved 50 seniors aged 70 and above, focusing on their technology pain points, and delivered in person to ensure there was no technology barrier impacting our reach of a broad senior population.

The second survey gathered insights from 113 consumers aged 45-60, who shared their perspectives on their parents' struggles with technology and the importance of staying connected. Here’s what we discovered:

Challenges with Video Calling Technology for Seniors that are 70+

• 50 seniors participated in this survey
• The average age of the senior insights survey was 81
• 72.6% felt it was important to see family, not just talk on the phone, lower than their adult children (see below)
• 53% of reported finding it difficult to use video calls on smartphones or tablets
• 43.1% cited it was difficult to use a tablet, compared to 37.3 that said it was easy
• Smartphones were easier, with 29.4% citing they were difficult, compared to 51% stating they were easy. However, most respondents did cite that this was for use cases that they were familiar with already.
• Surprisingly, laptops had the highest ease of use for this group, with only 19.6% citing difficulty, and 64.7% citing easy to use.  Some respondents noted that the mouse is easier for them to use than touchscreens.

Adult Child’s Perspective on Parent Challenges with Technology

• 113 consumers, aged 45-60 participated in this survey
• 96% believe it’s important for their parents to see family, not just talk on the phone
• 68% of consumers report that having their parents us video calls is not easy (neutral, difficult, very difficult)
  • 45% believe it’s difficult or very difficult for their parents
  • Only 16% felt video calls were very easy for their parents
• 60% believe video calls would be beneficial for their parents’ health
• 53% live over 30 minutes away from their parents
• 46% see their parents once a month or less

High-Level Conclusions from the General Survey Findings

• High Priority for Family Interaction: Both seniors and their adult children recognize the importance of seeing family rather than just talking on the phone. While 72.6% of seniors felt this was important, an overwhelming 96% of adult children felt like seeing their parents was important. This highlights a shared understanding across generations about the value of face-to-face interaction, but a more important need for family members (who are often caregivers or look over the safety and wellbeing) of older adults.
• Significant Barriers to Technology Use: A considerable number of seniors face challenges with using modern technology. Over half (53%) of seniors find it difficult to use video calls on smartphones or tablets. This difficulty decreases slightly for tablets (43.1%) and smartphones (29.4%), with laptops being the easiest to use for this demographic, as only 19.6% reported difficulty. These findings underscore the need for more user-friendly technology solutions tailored for seniors -- such as ONSCREEN's video calling for seniors solution.
• Perceived Health Benefits of Video Calls: A majority of adult children (60%) believe that video calls would be beneficial for their parents' health. This indicates a strong perceived value in using technology to maintain regular and meaningful connections that could enhance mental and emotional well-being.
• Distance and Infrequent Visits: Many adult children live over 30 minutes away from their parents (53%), and nearly half (46%) see their parents once a month or less. This geographic separation and infrequency of visits highlight the critical role that technology can play in bridging the gap and maintaining regular contact.

• Need for Accessible Solutions: The data reinforces the need for accessible, easy-to-use technology solutions like ONSCREEN that can help seniors overcome these challenges and stay connected with their families.
• Mental Health Focus: The high percentages of caregivers and adult children who recognize the importance of reducing loneliness and improving well-being through technology underscore the critical need for solutions that address these aspects of seniors' lives.

Conclusion

The data clearly shows that ONSCREEN video calling for seniors solution significantly enhances happiness, reduces loneliness, and improves the overall well-being of seniors. With over half of seniors struggling to use modern technology and many adult children living far away or visiting infrequently, ONSCREEN provides an accessible and user-friendly solution to bridge these gaps. By facilitating easy video calls, telehealth, and social events directly through the TV, ONSCREEN helps seniors stay connected with their families, which is crucial for their mental and emotional health.

Furthermore, the perceived health benefits of regular video calls and meaningful interactions highlight the importance of such technology in promoting mental well-being and reducing the risks associated with loneliness and social isolation. ONSCREEN not only addresses the critical need for maintaining family connections but also offers peace of mind for caregivers, knowing that their loved ones are happier and less lonely.

If you're looking for a way to enhance your loved one's quality of life and keep them connected, ONSCREEN is the solution you need.

Come back often to our blog for more info and insights into the world of video calling for seniors and ONSCREEN's amazing products.

Sources:

1) National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: Opportunities for the Health Care System. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25663