Associate Professor Heather Booth and Dr Robert Ackland (with Dr Tim Windsor from the Centre for Mental Health Research) have been successful in winning an ARC Linkage Grant of $270,000 over three years for their project on The role of online social networks in successful ageing: benefitting from 'who you know' at older ages. The partner organisation for this project is National Seniors.
The project will increase understanding of how online social networking contributes to successful ageing through partnering, economic and voluntary activity, family and social connectedness. The findings will inform policy recommendations, social interventions and education programs designed to enhance 'ageing well, ageing productively'. These are expected to benefit the health and well-being of older Australians, with economic benefits of increased contributions to society and fewer demands on services. Social and economic benefits are also expected from insights into reducing the technological and psychological barriers that prevent older people from benefiting from the Internet and online social networking.