Background and Aims
In today's world, where social isolation significantly affects older adults' well-being, the Dossy Project stands out as an innovative beacon of hope. This initiative seeks to harness the transformative power of digital technology to combat loneliness and foster social connectedness among the elderly. The Dossy Project's mission is crystal clear: to create a user-friendly platform that not only promotes meaningful interactions but also is co-designed to align with the unique needs and capabilities of its users. By focusing on simplicity in design and depth in connection, the project aims to build genuine relationships, reduce feelings of isolation, and integrate a sense of belonging among older adults.
What We Did
We introduced the Community Connect feature to the existing Dossy video calling platform, emphasising our focus on innovation and accessibility. Utilising the Dossy platform, Community Connect enabled meaningful video interactions between Aging with Grace volunteers and Uniting AgeWell clients. We evaluated Community Connect over a 12 week research trial. The project aimed to leverage technology for enhanced connectivity and to foster a supportive community, bridging gaps between individuals through shared experiences and mutual understanding.
Outcomes
Innovative Approach and Flexibility to Connect with Virtual Volunteers
Central to the Dossy Project is its pioneering approach to connecting older adults with virtual volunteers through a sophisticated, yet straightforward, video communication tool. This innovative strategy addresses the critical challenge of social isolation by:
- Creating a Flexible Volunteering Model: The Dossy platform introduces a unique level of flexibility, allowing volunteers to offer their companionship from any location, at times that suit both them and the older adults. This adaptability makes volunteering more accessible to a broader demographic, thus enriching the pool of available connections for older adults.
- Leveraging Technology for Simplicity and Effectiveness: By prioritising a design that is intuitive and user-friendly, the Dossy Project ensures that older adults, regardless of their tech-savviness, can easily navigate the platform. This commitment to accessibility is crucial for empowering users to engage confidently in digital conversations.
- A Testament to Community and Innovation: The outcomes of the Dossy Project speak volumes about the power of community and innovation in addressing the challenges faced by older adults. With over 221 video calls—totaling more than 75 hours of conversation—made during the trial, the project successfully decreased loneliness levels among participants, showcasing the profound impact of virtual volunteerism on enhancing the quality of life for the elderly.
Impact on Aged Care and Workforce
The Dossy Project has significantly influenced the aged care sector and its workforce by:
- Reducing Technical Support Needs: The platform's simplicity and intuitiveness have minimised the demand for technical assistance, allowing care providers to focus on quality care rather than troubleshooting.
- Volunteer Coordination Efforts: Streamlining the process of connecting volunteers with older adults, thereby enhancing the efficiency of volunteer programs.
- Supplementing Emotional and Social Care: By facilitating virtual connections, the project has augmented traditional care models with an additional layer of emotional and social support.
- Improving Accessibility: The design and implementation of Dossy have made digital communication more accessible to older adults, bridging the digital divide and empowering users with new avenues for connection with friends, their family and a wonderful community of virtual volunteers.
Resources Developed
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Dossy Community Connect Platform: Launching in April 2024, the Dossy Community Connect platform is a revolutionary tool designed to enhance social connectivity for aged care recipients. It allows aged care providers and families to easily set up accounts, add users, and manage volunteer engagement through the Dossy community or a dedicated private community. Organisations can monitor social connectedness through insightful reports. Explore more at https://dossy.co.
- ‘Unboxing’ - Plug ‘n’ Play Experience: Dossy introduces an 'As a Service' model within its social support plans, featuring refurbished iPads equipped for single app mode, remote tech support, and shared data plans for those without Wi-Fi access. This plug-and-play solution ensures easy setup and reliable connectivity, emphasising ease of use and sustainability through regular updates and responsible recycling of devices.
- Volunteer Digital Onboarding Portal: This resource facilitates the creation of a private, dedicated group of volunteers, streamlining their onboarding with police check verification and training materials to meet Volunteering Australia Standards. Dossy's onboarding process includes a comprehensive training guide and questionnaire, ensuring volunteers are prepared for meaningful engagement. The portal also connects organisations with Dossy's community volunteers, supplementing the support network for their clients.
- Advanced Matching Algorithms: Dossy employs unique matching algorithms during the onboarding of clients and volunteers, focusing on aligning preferences and interests to foster meaningful connections. This approach aims to reduce social isolation by ensuring that interactions are as relevant and engaging as possible. Future developments include refining these algorithms for peer-to-peer connections based on detailed profiling, aiming to deepen the impact of these interactions.
These resources highlight Dossy's commitment to leveraging technology for social good, focusing on innovative solutions to combat loneliness and improve the quality of life for older adults.
Lessons Learned
As the Dossy Project moves forward, the insights gained from our implementation of Community Connect offer invaluable lessons for the future of aged care and digital inclusion. The project underscores the importance of embracing flexibility, addressing technical challenges proactively, and managing expectations around new technologies. These learnings will inform the next steps in the project's evolution, including refining the user experience and expanding service offerings to reach more older adults in need of connection.
Next Steps
The journey of the Dossy Project is far from over. With plans to implement user experience improvements and broaden its impact, the project is set to continue its mission of reducing social isolation among older adults through innovative digital solutions. By fostering a more connected and supportive community, the Dossy Project embodies a hopeful vision for the future, where technology serves as a bridge to companionship, understanding, and a better quality of life for older adults.