Why Living Connected

Here in Australia we are, like most developed countries, an ageing society. Almost 1 million citizens over 65 live at home but less than half have an Internet connection or use a computer. Yet government agencies expect all citizens to interact with them online (see mygov and myagedcare.gov.au) as do businesses, other services and community groups.

Digitally excluded older people can lose their independence over simple everyday actions, such as banking and shopping. They can become increasingly isolated form family, friends and community activities. We hear from families who set older members up with a computer to keep in touch and they refuse to use it. Separation from these connections can lead to loneliness and reduced quality of life. This has both economic and social costs to our whole society

On the positive side, many older citizens are now attending classes to learn to use a computer, tablet or smart phone to become more independent and re-engaged with their families and community. Not everyone can get to these classes or they attend some and find it all ‘too complicated’ and lose interest. Our research provides some key insights as to how to successfully overcome the many barriers to using these devices in a meaningful way to the users.

What is Living Connected

Living Connected is designed as a home-based service that assists older people to enrich their lives by using digital technologies. In doing so, Living Connected reconnects them with their families and friends who all communicate regularly on social media and use digital services of all kinds. 

We help older people who live alone or a couple, who know little of IT and are no longer able to get out much. When they, or their family, contact us we aim to provide a service to help them understand the digital world and to decide how it could improve their wellbeing by being able to speak with family members using Skype for example, to transact their banking online, keep up with current affairs, read, shop, meet and organise social interaction online. Some may wish to use their device offline. We work with them to learn to use whatever digital device appeals to them to become reconnected, engaged and maintain independence. We help them, one to one, in their homes, using their own devices, to use their device to do what they want to do. We also provide ongoing help as needed.

Who is Living Connected

The team has a track record of delivering these services in the local region over the past three years. The founder of Living Connected is Professor Helen Hasan, a researcher in the field of Information Systems. 10 years ago, as a carer for her husband, Helen experienced the isolation the many older people feel in that situation and was so grateful that she had computer capability. She now works part-time within the Australian Health Services Research Institute located on the Innovation Campus of the University of Wollongong, Australia. Helen has been joined by a number of like-minded colleagues and associates who have given their time as well as some financial and in-kind support to the Living Connected project. Living Connected has developed partnerships with aged-care providers and IT companies in our area. As a growing not-for-profit social enterprise Living Connected is part of the iAccelerate business incubator at the University of Wollongong.

Why we need some seed funding

Requests for our services are growing. Up to now Living Connected has been run by the founders on a volunteer basis operating on a small scale using their own resources. To expand and be sustainable, we have some initial start-up business costs.  Although we will continue to operate as a not-for-profit social business, we need to make sure that we have the right business model, insurances, background checks and business systems to deliver a quality service.

Once established, we will have an income stream by charging clients who can afford to pay for our services. However, we want to make sure that the Living Connected home program is available to all so we are seeking sponsorship to support clients who are not able to pay the full commercial rate. Our key human resource will be a permanent administrator to engage with clients, arrange appointments, keep records and basically ensure that our service runs smoothly. As the business grows we hope to generate income to employ this administrator and some professional staff to supplement the work of our volunteers.

Living Connected plans to grow into a sustainable NFP social enterprise aiming to make its services available to as many people as possible regardless of their circumstances. To be sustainable, we need to build a well-trained operational team to increase our reach into the community as well as building a strong administrative support systems. The iAccelerate business incubator at the University of Wollongong is assisting us in our growth plans, but we need funding to implement them.

Our growing reputation is attracting partners among both aged-care and IT equipment providers in the Illawarra. They acknowledge the research showing that isolation has a greater negative affect on the health of older people than smoking. They are aware that Living Connected provides a unique opportunity for older people to lead more fulfilling and productive lives. Local government is supportive as Living Connected will provide employment for the semi-retired and IT-literate young people.