Piloting home telepresence to support social connectedness among older adults in remote Irish communities.

BACKGROUND

Social support and social connectedness are key components of social health in later life, with reduced support linked to loneliness, social isolation, and adverse health outcomes. These challenges are intensified in remote and offshore communities, where geographic barriers limit social interaction and service access. In Ireland, nearly one in three adults over 50 experience emotional loneliness. While ICT-based interventions show promise, evidence for scalable, context-appropriate solutions remains limited. This study examines the feasibility and acceptability of a user-centred home telepresence approach in remote Irish settings.

METHODS

This nested case study, reported using the CASET framework, piloted a home telepresence intervention with older adults living alone in remote Irish communities. Following baseline surveys on expectations and preferences, participants engaged in scheduled video interactions. Post-intervention interviews assessed usability and general experience.

RESULTS

The telepresence intervention was readily adopted by older adults, demonstrating high usability and accessibility. However, tensions emerged between automation and user control, alongside evolving privacy concerns. Engagement was strongest when supporting shared activities beyond conversation. Participant feedback highlighted the need for greater flexibility, improved controls, and enhanced on boarding to support sustained use.

DISCUSSION: This case study demonstrates the feasibility of home telepresence as a rapid-deployment approach to support social connection among older adults in remote settings. Findings highlight the importance of usability, autonomy, privacy, and relational engagement for acceptability. Implementation Mapping supported structured, iterative development, informing future research, practice, and policy to enable sustainable, context-sensitive scale-up in rural and island communities.