smartphone app older person

A new app aimed particularly at people aged over 70 is being developed by online health educator The Sound Doctor to help people live more independently for longer at home.

Founded by ex-BBC journalist and presenter Dominic Arkwright and ex-BBC producer and editor Rosie Runciman in 2012, The Sound Doctor produces and distributes short, easy-to-digest films providing education about long-term health conditions.

Boasting a library of more than 300 films covering diabetes, COPD, dementia and cardiovascular disease amongst others, the videos aim to deliver the same high-quality production values that the pair maintained at the BBC to clinicians, charities and patients.

Advertisement | Continue story below

The educational content creator says that there are many issues which worry older people living at home, such as fear of falling which can prevent people from leaving their homes as often as they would like to, as well as feeling lonely and isolated which often leads to subsequent problems including depression.

Warning that this can easily result in a spiral of inactivity and dependency, the company’s new app will include advice on preventing falls, combatting loneliness and isolation, and managing end of life care.

In addition, the app will offer information, advice and tips on nutrition, hydration, oral health and alcohol.

The announcement comes following data released by the Campaign to End Loneliness revealing that there are currently 1.2 million chronically lonely older people in the UK and that half a million older people go at least five or six days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone at all.

Rosie Runciman, co-founder of The Sound Doctor, said: “The good news is, there is lots of help out there. If older people and their families know what help is available, and can see the potential for altering their lifestyle, there can be dramatic improvements to their quality of life. Our App is a necessary resource that will help with this and is a fantastic project for The Sound Doctor to be involved in.”

With the number of people aged 75 or over expected to double in the next 30 years, the recent ‘Suffering in silence: age inequality in older people’s mental health care’ report from the Royal College of Psychiatrists suggests that depression is the most common mental health problem in this age group.

“As we are an ageing society, we need to find ways of living at home longer, but this won’t happen unless we find ways of enjoying life in older age,” continued Rosie.

“Health issues affect activities we might have done previously, retirement comes with potential problems of isolation, and we need to find ways of making life work well for us in our later years.”

The company says many issues can be addressed through understanding both the issues and potential solutions, reinforcing the importance of education to improving outcomes for older people and their families.

THIIS ROUND-UP
Join the 3,750+ mobility professionals who stay informed with THIIS' twice-weekly industry updates.
We respect your privacy
https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/smartphone-app-older-person.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/smartphone-app-older-person-150x150.jpgCalvin BarnettNewsroomSupplier Newsapp,BBC,cardiovascular disease,COPD,dementia,diabetes,Dominic Arkwright,film,Rosie Runciman,Royal College of Psychiatrists,The Sound Doctor,videoA new app aimed particularly at people aged over 70 is being developed by online health educator The Sound Doctor to help people live more independently for longer at home. Founded by ex-BBC journalist and presenter Dominic Arkwright and ex-BBC producer and editor Rosie Runciman in 2012, The Sound Doctor...News, views & products for mobility, access and independent living professionals