entangle you

Objective

enred@te" is a project that aims to promote the use of digital services, specifically social networks, among older people who live alone, so that they improve their communication and socialization through new forms of interaction and of the creation of virtual spaces for coexistence, both with their peer group and with their family members and/or caregivers.

Due to the characteristics of social networks as a form of social interaction, spaces for coexistence and connectivity, there is no limited age range for their participation. The potential social network system for older people is established as an open and accessible system that allows the exchange of experiences, problems and needs, implemented thanks to advances in new information and communication technologies.

The "enred@te" project defines a digital social network in which older people and Red Cross volunteers will interact in order to strengthen their usual relationships in the context of care and support for older people. Caregivers or family members of the elderly can also contact them on this platform.

The established network will make it possible to influence and address specific topics of interest in the area of ​​healthy and active ageing. In order to develop this network, it is necessary to keep in mind the following specifications:

• Multiplatform access to the network through the Internet, according to the needs of the user, making use of web systems using PCs and through TabletPCs, as devices that offer high accessibility for the elderly.

• Video communication module between older people-older people, volunteers-older people, older people-family members or caregivers and volunteers-volunteers among themselves, based on everyday technology and adapted to their requirements of interaction.

• Dynamization of the network established between older people and caregivers through voluntary action through the web: posting content of interest, photos, text messages, etc.

Results obtained and forecast of final results.

The solution developed for “SocialTV”, predecessor project of "enred@te" has been tested and validated during a pilot phase in 2011 by a group of 100 users distributed in 15 Spanish Autonomous Communities and 41 provinces, both from their own homes and from Day Centers of the Spanish Red Cross network. Following the results of this pilot, it was decided to address the "enred@te" project in 2012 with the aim of expanding this network of older people to volunteers from the Spanish Red Cross network, as well as their families and at the same time incorporate new digital devices into this network, such as Tablets or PCs. The profile that the virtual volunteering will cover has been included in this communication network in order to boost the activities of this meeting point, and offering a new space for the exchange of experiences of the volunteers themselves.

During 2012, PHASE 1 of the "enred@te" project began, which addressed the development tasks of the technical aspects related to the video communications platform through the Tablet and PC device. The tests during this first phase have been carried out in Madrid and Castilla y León. In the next phase of the project, PHASE 2, linked to the activities of 2013, the aim is to include family members and the role of digital volunteers to promote and facilitate the use of this network.

The expected results are related to the incidence in improving the quality of life of the elderly, in the expansion and strengthening of their social network through the development of a virtual social network that allows distributed, coordinated and personalized interaction. The digital exchange space will allow more than 100 older people to be able to establish socialization networks, properly using all the tools provided and thanks to the figure of dynamic volunteers. Another of the main results that is expected to be achieved according to the defined phases, will be the strengthening of a virtual volunteer network through the management of the digital platform.