Research Log #4 - Solutionary Project 2023

Date: 3/2/23
Name: Jenna Sniffen
Central Question: How does loneliness within elders negatively affect communities?
Thesis: Elderly loneliness affects our communities because it causes them to feel useless and increases the chances of
developing life threating aspects.
Essay Sections:
#1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and who benefits? (Use three
sources.)
#2: What has been and is being done? (Use two sources.)
#3: What do you think should be done and what do you intend to do? (Use one source.)

In which section will you use this source?

Excerpts:

This article states, “They are also surveying seniors about what technological help they need.”

The usage of “zoom is a very big boon to us. We were otherwise passing our days in our houses
without any connection to each other.”

Technology has become a big part of our life: “Because with the right technology and support,
seniors have a lot more access to the outside world.”

Commentary and Analysis:

This article talks about satisfying the necessities of elderly people, especially after the
pandemic. It gives real life stories about volunteers who were consistent with visiting the same
person, were prohibited to visiting. During COVID times, no visitors were allowed and the
elderly people living in the buildings as each other, couldn’t even go out of their rooms to
socialize. However, it has been brought to the attention of officials that work with this issue, that
teaching the elderly people how to use technology is a huge step in curing the problem.
Technology plays a big part in our everyday lives in 2023 and people who don’t know
how to use it are often stopped from doing things they want to do. Therefore, a solution that has
begun to surmise is educating these elderly people on the usage of electronic devices and
advanced technology. Doing this will allow seniors to have more interaction with the outside
world if they are physically unable to connect. Connecting with the outside world would allow
them to educate themselves more about things that interest them or form a connection with
someone of the same interest as them.

MLA Work Cited:

Rubinowitz, E. (2020, November 5). Seniors struggle with isolation in the pandemic. here's how
some organizations are trying to help. WBEZ Chicago. Retrieved March 2, 2023, from
https://www.wbez.org/stories/seniors-struggle-with-isolation-in-the-pandemic-heres-how-
some-organizations-are-trying-to-help/0b9e5131-12ad-4186-b296-504f623d276d

This is a reputable and reliable article because WBEZ is Chicago’s NPR news station and one
of the most respected public media stations in the country.