Know Someone Who Feels Isolated? Try This

Feeling isolated and alone? Or maybe it's your mom or dad or a grandparent who's feeling left behind.

Whether you're the one feeling isolated or a beloved elderly relative who's coping with that, here's some unusual advice I read about recently.

There is a lot of evidence that turning to voice-activated technology like Alexa or Siri or whatever the digital companion's name may be, actually helps people.

I know. It sounds silly, but it's a serious problem and this is a serious answer. With more than 8 million adults over 50 affected by isolation, this is a health issue as much as an emotional issue.

Isolation Is Unhealthy

It's when someone is emotionally and/or physically disconnected from family, friends, and community. It's not exactly loneliness, but prolonged isolation—or disconnection—is recognized as a risk factor for bad health. In fact, health experts say its impact is as bad as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Several senior communities have test programs underway to see if voice-activated technology can help mitigate the isolation many older adults feel. Loneliness can reduce a person's life expectancy by several years.

Interacting Even With a Tech Device Is Good

Even if you're young, you can feel isolated.

Early results show positive emotional response from adults who are interacting with the Amazon Alexa device. Interaction runs the gamut from asking Alexa to play music, give the news, tell a joke, access the community events calendar, listen to audio books, and play games to setting up reminders to take medication are bringing people out of their shells.

The device users also discuss the things they do with Alexa with each other, and it's not just Alexa. There are other voice-activated technology devices like Apple's HomePod which uses Siri as do iPhones, Google's Assistant, and Android Genie.

Takeaway Truth

I often gripe about technology because it seems the more tech dependent you are, the more problems you have. But I think it's wonderful that something like this can ease the isolation so many seniors, separated by distance from children and grandchildren, feel.