Agetech World meets Dayo Akinrinade, founder of Wisdom, to understand how a social audio app can impact the lives of the elderly.
Wisdom is a social audio app which allows users to connect for “meaningful conversations, sharing knowledge and expertise”.
“Approximately one in five users of the app is aged 50 or over,” says Dayo Akinrinade. “The most popular topics that users over 50 talk about are life coaching, spirituality, family and mental health.”
The app also has a ‘meet’ feature where users are able to add a short voice note introduction to their Wisdom user profile. On the meet tab, Wisdom’s algorithms will recommend each user with a daily batch of 15-20 voice intros from people that may be of interest for them to meet.
Users can scroll through and playback the voice intros, then follow members that sound appealing. Additionally, Wisdom’s new direct messaging feature means that after following, users can now have one-to-one private chats.
Numerous studies have shown the importance that social connections can have for the elderlies. Research has linked social isolation and loneliness to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions such as: obesity, heart diseases, a weak immune system, depression, anxiety, cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.
Therefore, socialising represents a main activity for elderly people to maintain a healthy mind and body.
With mobility issues and no private transport available, numerous elderlies struggle to leave their houses to socialise in the outside world.
Social media may break this barrier, creating a connection between elderly people without transportation and mobility possibilities.
Studies have shown that there is a significant correlation between social media use and health of older adults.
Scott Lee Twilligear, a Wisdom user, said : “I am a newly retired person I’ve only been retired about six months and was getting somewhat depressed because I’m used to physical activity and being able to talk to people and friends and workers.
“I was notified months and months ago about this station coming to life and they asked me to become a mentor.
“Right then and there it brought a smile to my face (which I haven’t felt for a while). I’m like ‘Wow that felt wonderful let’s try to continue this journey’.
“So as I of May 29th I have done 24 shows thus far. It really beats talking to myself.”
Creating an online connection between older adults may help to reduce loneliness, which could result in healthier and happier individuals.
