Joy to world of elderly
Great grandmother spreading virtual platform to combat loneliness
A CURRUMBIN great grandmother is championing change among the older generation, by promoting a groundbreaking virtual platform to help fight loneliness and depression.
Joy Conolly yesterday jetted off to the 2018 US-Hong Kong Conference on Ageing Across Time and Contexts to share insight on an issue close to her heart on the global stage.
“I’ve called it Addressing the Impact of Social Isolation,” the 82-year-old said.
“I’ll be delivering it via a live session through Feros Care’s Virtual Senior Centre.
“It’s cutting-edge stuff. Never been done anywhere else before.”
The Virtual Senior Centre allows users to meet people from the comfort of their homes via online groups as diverse as book and chat clubs and music/dance sessions.
Ms Conolly, a professional psychologist, knows first-hand the impact loneliness can have on an individual’s psyche.
“It’s very easy for seniors to feel isolated and I’m determined to help as many as I can find ways to overcome that desperation,” she said.
“It’s a very mobile world, with not as many adult children living as close to their elderly parents as they once did.’’
Ms Conolly’s seminar will be one of 30 papers to be delivered at the conference.
“The best part is I’m not a 25 year old telling them how older people can tackle social isolation. Because I’m getting up that way myself, I can see what it’s going to be like. Ageing has to be a lived experience. You can’t tell people what it’s like — you have to experience it.”
Association of Independent Retirees Gold Coast branch president Rob Grover said isolation and depression were a real problem.
“It is an issue that you find when people retire, a day later they’re already yesterday’s hero, the world moves so quickly,” he said.
“Up until that point they’ve been leading an active life in employment, which provides them with social contact and a feeling of self-worth.
“It’s very flattering if you’re an expert and people seek you out for your expertise. Then all of a sudden all of that’s gone. It does affect some people, but any program to help fight loneliness is beneficial to locals.
“Sounds like a great program for people who aren’t mobile or living in rural areas.”
IT’S VERY EASY FOR SENIORS TO FEEL ISOLATED AND I’M DETERMINED TO HELP AS MANY AS I CAN FIND WAYS TO OVERCOME THAT DESPERATION JOY CONOLLY