Reducing Social Isolation & Loneliness Among Seniors with Cancer

The Norwegian Cancer Society (NCS) is one of the largest organizations in Norway representing the voice of those affected by cancer. Our organization consists of 113 000 members, 25 000 volunteers and 190 employees, all dedicated to promoting the cancer cause. NCS works continuously to improve society’s attitude towards the prevention and treatment of cancer. We fight cancer locally, nationally and globally through research and preventive measures, information, support, advice and lobbying.

Improving Quality of life

Our goal is to achieve optimal life quality for cancer patients and their families. As a part of this effort, we work to ensure that welfare technology is used where this can help improve this, and we focus particularly on elderly patients, who often have other health problems in addition to cancer. Involuntary social isolation and loneliness are problems that can affect cancer patients, especially seniors.

User-oriented technology and service development

The Norwegian Cancer Society, in cooperation with Norwegian startup No Isolation, have contributed to the development of a solution that helps to reduce social isolation among seniors. No Isolation was founded in Norway in 2015 with a single purpose – to reduce involuntary social isolation. NCS chose No Isolation as partner because of their experience in User experience (UX) design. UX design is to identify problems, designing and testing the product with the users.  In April 2017, we entered into a project partnership. In this project, NCS represented the user knowledge, and No Isolation the expertise in UXdesign and technology.

KOMP; a communication tool

As we grow older, our functional abilities change, and it can become harder to use modern communication devices. Keeping in touch with family and friends is as important as ever. No Isolation developed KOMP; a communication tool designed for seniors and their families.

KOMP is a one-button computer tailored for seniors with limited experience with modern technology. Family members and friends are invited to share moments with KOMP through an app. Sending messages and pictures, or connecting a video call is made easy –connecting generations and increasing the quality of life for seniors with cancer. Check out this webpage for more information about the product: https://www.noisolation.com/uk/komp/

Testing KOMP and learning more

In the period June to November 2017, No Isolation conducted a pilot where they wanted to validate if KOMP could contribute more communication within the family. Seventeen family members of five seniors (+80yrs) sent over 2000 pictures and messages during this period.

In 2018, NCS will learn more about the user experience of KOMP, as we will give KOMP to 80 seniors with cancer, and we will systematically gather information from them and their family members.

Contact details for further questions: Jannicke.Rabben@kreftforeningen.no