Clicks for cliques help keep elderly active amid pandemic

A screen grab shows a 66-year-old Saitama Prefecture man, top left, during an online gathering he attended with members of the Shumi-to Club, a community site for senior citizens.

There are likely many senior citizens interested in taking part in online gatherings and events, even if they do not frequently use the internet, to avoid going out in public amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

There are a number of aspects to keep in mind for senior citizens who use smartphones to participate in online events, and experts shared some tips.

“The coronavirus pandemic is really worrisome,” said a 66-year-old Saitama Prefecture man when he recently took part in an online meeting — held via Zoom videoconferencing software — for senior citizens born in time of the 1954 school year.

The man is a member of the Shumi-to Club, which means “club for hobbyists,” a community site for senior citizens. The site features various sub-communities that target specific interests of members, such as tennis and distance running.

As a member of a community for those born in the 1954 school year, the man used to enjoy taking part in drinking parties and getaways with fellow members. Because of the pandemic, however, the community now holds its gatherings online, and he enjoys raising a glass to the screen as he talks with other members once or twice a week.

“It’s a joy to chat with members I wasn’t able to meet up with in the past because we live so far away from each other,” he said.

Ostance Inc. runs the Shumi- to Club site. Chief Executive Officer Ryoto Kikukawa said online gatherings are popular among its members because “they can have interactions with others while they’re at home.”

Unlike face- to- face conversations, however, there are some features that participants have to keep in mind during online gatherings. First, if two participants speak at the same time, it is difficult for others to understand what is being said.

Participants are advised to listen without interrupting when someone is speaking. When the person finishes their point, pausing a moment before talking is best.

As it is also difficult for those who are speaking to take notice of others’ reactions, so participants are encouraged to exaggerate head nods and other forms of body language.

The site operator in June organized an online tour to the sake brewery that produces the popular brand Dassai. For those interested in such online events but still feel apprehensive about actually taking part, “You can start by joining an online event that teaches beginners how to use Zoom,” said an Ostance employee.

Participants can kill two birds with one stone by not only learning how to use the videoconferencing software, but also getting a taste of what an online event is like.

When it comes to participating in online events using smartphones, using nonpublic Wi-Fi is recommended because it is highly secure without an upper limit for data transmission volume, said Takuya Saito of KDDI Corp.’s office for promoting sustainability. Saito also puts on workshops for senior citizens on how to use smartphones.

Unlike emailing and placing phone calls, smartphones stay connected to the internet during online events. Those using 4G and other communications networks for these sessions will find themselves quickly reaching their monthly volume limit on data transmission.

However, anyone using Wi- Fi services available at cafes and other public places might allow a third party to sneak a peek into the event they are attending. It is safer to participate in online events from home after buying the components needed to set up a Wi-Fisafe environment. (Jan. 6)