Aging & Community
Caregiving & Support
Ask the Expert with Laura Haw
Welcome to Ask the Expert, a new series featuring interviews with experts in the field of aging. Topics will be wide-ranging, highlighting both key insights and innovations in the field. The series is moderated by Georgene Nitzsche, Assistant Professor of Aging Studies at the University of Indianapolis.
This month, I had the pleasure of interviewing Laura Haw, MS, CPG. Laura is an Aging Studies instructor, Credentialed Professional Gerontologist, and the creator of Celebrativity, a creative enrichment platform featuring printable activities, quizzes, games, and educational resources. Her work focuses on promoting lifelong learning, meaningful engagement, and social connection for older adults and learners of all ages. Visit Celebrativity.com to explore the resources.
As Laura's background includes working in long-term care, she has witnessed the loneliness and isolation that many older adults experience. Based on her experience, I asked her:
How do older adults distinguish between being alone and feeling lonely?
Older adults can distinguish between being alone and feeling lonely by asking themselves how they feel rather than simply considering whether other people are present. Being alone is a physical state, while loneliness is an emotional one.
Many older adults value time alone for reflection, hobbies, learning, or simply enjoying a peaceful day. For example, someone may happily spend an afternoon gardening, reading, or working on a favorite craft and feel completely content. Solitude can be restorative and fulfilling when it is a choice.
Loneliness, on the other hand, is the feeling that one lacks meaningful relationships or a sense of connection. A person can be surrounded by others at a gathering and still feel lonely if the interactions lack genuine connection. Ultimately, the distinction is less about how much time someone spends alone and more about whether their emotional and social needs are being met.
Can technology truly reduce loneliness, or does it simply reduce social isolation? What types of technological innovations might foster deeper human connection rather than simply communication?
Technology can help reduce social isolation by making it easier to stay connected with family, friends, caregivers, and communities regardless of distance or mobility. However, reducing social isolation does not necessarily reduce loneliness.
Loneliness decreases through meaningful relationships, shared experiences, and a sense of belonging. The greatest potential lies in technologies that encourage active participation rather than passive communication. Families can play online trivia games, grandparents and grandchildren can explore virtual museums or take classes together, friends can join virtual book clubs or craft projects, and caregivers can use digital reminiscence tools to spark conversations through photographs, music, or historical events. Even conversation prompts and collaborative puzzles can encourage storytelling, laughter, and shared discovery.
Technology is most valuable when it serves as a bridge to human connection rather than a substitute for it. The best innovations don't simply help people communicate; they create opportunities to interact, learn, share experiences, and build lasting relationships.
How can resources such as Celebrativity help reduce loneliness and keep older adults engaged?
Resources such as Celebrativity provide meaningful opportunities for active participation through quizzes, reminiscence, discussion, music, creative activities, and lifelong learning. Whether used individually or in groups, these activities encourage conversation, strengthen social connections, help reduce feelings of loneliness, and keep older adults engaged.
If readers would like to learn more about Celebrativity or contact Laura, they can email her at Celebrativity@gmail.com.
Thank you for this valuable information, Laura. I hope our readers will take a moment to visit your website and sign up for the newsletter. It is well worth their time.
