The Dossy ‘Community Connect’ project helps fight loneliness in older adults
A successful video calling app named Dossy is being expanded to help reduce isolation and loneliness in older Australians, thanks to research and funding collaborators, and a group of enthusiastic volunteers.
The Dossy team, who developed the app in 2021 to connect older Australians with family members and friends, has joined up with collaborators to test a new feature called “Community Connect”. This allows older people to engage in video calls with volunteers from all over Australia – to reduce social isolation.
The University of Melbourne, Uniting AgeWell, Ageing with Grace and Two Bulls are among the prominent organisations collaborating with Dossy on the project.
Volunteers Jane (a pseudonym) and Neil video-calling older Australians. Picture: supplied
Dossy offers an intuitive experience for older people, even if they lack prior familiarity with digital technology. This is made possible through a streamlined video calling process and a user-friendly interface. All the older person needs to do is tap one button and they are instantly connected to a volunteer for a friendly face-to-face chat.
Dr Ryan Kelly, from the Human-Computer Interaction research group in the University’s Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, took the lead in the collaboration in mid-2022, after Dossy founder Kristen Graham approached the Faculty for a research partnership.
The success of the partnership led to a $200,000 grant from Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA). This is being used to develop and test “Community Connect,” which seeks to validate the idea of connecting older adults with volunteers for video calls, providing new opportunities to meet people for social contact.
The team also investigated how the software should be designed to support lasting connections and to better understand the value of participation for both older adults and volunteers.
"We are genuinely thrilled about this opportunity to expand Dossy's impact, and our heartfelt gratitude goes out to our research collaborators, funders and the ever-dedicated community volunteers," Ms Graham expressed.
"The profound potential of technology to enhance the lives of isolated older individuals becomes a reality when they are provided with the appropriate tools and the kindness of willing volunteers."
Dr Ryan Kelly posing with Dossy. Picture: supplied
A controlled, 12-week trial with 26 Uniting AgeWell customers and 30 Ageing with Grace volunteers, mostly in Victoria and New South Wales, has just been completed. The project team travelled to various locations to ensure successful implementation, with visits in Geelong, Portarlington and several areas of Melbourne.
Dr Kelly and Ms Graham made in-home visits to help participants set up the Dossy software on dedicated iPads, which included a SIM card for Internet access. Each participant received an upcycled iPad for the trial, secured from PhoneCycle.
Dr Kelly explained that visiting participants’ homes was essential to ensure swift access to the technology and allow for a deeper understanding of individual needs, as well as providing opportunities to build confidence among those with limited technology experience.
“Additionally, in-person visits have laid the groundwork for continued engagement, multiple feedback collection points during the trial and honest communication,” Dr Kelly said.
Volunteers installed the Dossy app on their existing devices, with smartphones being the most used devices for video calls.
“Through these connections, we’re doing more than just combatting loneliness; we’re redefining what it means to age gracefully in the digital age,” said Esis Tawfik, CEO of Ageing with Grace.
Uniting AgeWell customer, Leonard (a pseudonym), posing with his Dossy. Picture: Uniting AgeWell
Initial data indicates promising uptake, with the most active participants engaging in over 30 hours of meaningful calls with volunteers during the research period, with over 150 calls made.
Director of Strategy and Innovation at Uniting AgeWell Nina Bowes said the research solidified the benefits of having video calls available for older people.
“Through our work, we see the positive impact that social connection and community engagement has on a person’s quality of life,” Ms Bowes said.
“Making it easier for people to connect in ways that suit them is critically important. That’s why we are excited by the opportunities technologies like Dossy and the Community Connect program represent for the aged care sector.”
One of the trial participants, Tracy (a pseudonym), used to have a very active social life, but is now largely housebound. After using Community Connect for three months, she said “this has made me feel more confident because sometimes I was getting fed up with myself. Now I don't feel lonely; when I’m on the call, I feel as if I'm out with them. I just love it”.
The volunteers have also benefitted immensely from the program. Neil, one of the many compassionate volunteers, felt that his conversations with older people have reshaped his worldview, telling the team: “When I speak to someone who had to hide in bunkers during the Second World War, it really puts my own concerns into perspective.”
“The provision of Community Connect fostered meaningful connections and showcased the positive impact of the technology,” Dr Kelly said.
Ged Kearney MP and Ms Kristen Graham. Picture: supplied
“Partnerships with organisations like Uniting AgeWell and Ageing with Grace are pivotal in addressing social issues such as isolation. Working together as a team leverages the close connections our partners have with the older population and their commitment to well-being.”
With continued involvement from community organisations and volunteers, the team hopes to expand Dossy Community Connect into aged care and is working on Carer Connect, a platform that will enhance the connection between carers and their clients.
“Additionally, we are aiming to make healthcare more accessible to our users, especially those who live in regional areas,” Ms Graham said. “These efforts are part of our dedication to ensuring that Dossy continues to serve as a beacon of human connection for individuals of all backgrounds, fostering bonds and enriching lives through the power of technology.”
The Community Connect project commenced in January 2023 and is scheduled to conclude in December 2023. The research phase, which began on June 13, was completed in late September. Participants will continue to have access to the new feature for an additional three months.
Learn more here: https://dossy.co/