Sehrish Akhtar

Doctoral research fellow, OsloMet

Sehrish Akhtar is currently writing her PhD in Social Science at Oslo Metropolitan University. Her research focuses on the use of technology to facilitate for communication and reduce social isolation among older nursing home residents. She has a BA in Psychology from University of Oslo and a MA in Family Therapy from OsloMet. Her research interests include digital communication, social relations, and mental health.

Tell us about your project!

During the Covid-19 pandemic, national authorities imposed strict infection control measures, which severely limited people daily lives and opportunities for social contact. Elderly residents in long-term care facilities were especially vulnerable, as they were subjected to strict visitation restrictions throughout the pandemic to reduce the risk of spreading infection. We tested out a communication technology called Komp at all public nursing homes in Oslo to ensure social contact for residents in long-term care facilities. Komp is a communications solution developed to connect older adults that have limited digital knowledge with their more digitally competent family members. It is a one-button computer that resembles an old TV-screen and is designed to be simpler to use than any tablet or smartphones. The Komp-screen is linked to an app family members and friends can use to send pictures, messages and make video calls directly to the person viewing the Komp-screen. This project aims to examine whether a communication technology like Komp can enhance social connectedness among older adults and their relatives.

“ This project aims to examine whether a communication technology like Komp can enhance social connectedness among older adults and their relatives.”

— Sehrish Akhtar on her research project “The importance of loneliness reducing technology for older adults quality of life and mental health”