No one left behind: AI-enabled support for aging vets
Cross-disciplinary ASU research team develops tech tools to combat social isolation in retired military personnel
Loneliness has been called the silent killer.
The U.S. surgeon general has described the negative health effects of social isolation as being as damaging as smoking cigarettes. While many aging Americans are at risk of feeling or being socially isolated, veterans are particularly vulnerable.
That's why Nicole Roberts, an associate professor of psychology in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Arizona State University, has spent the last few years studying how to improve health care outcomes for veterans. She notes that Americans who have served in the military often suffer from medical conditions that are the result of serving in combat or performing highly physical jobs. Some vets have spent significant amounts of time living in close quarters on bases and later with a structured lifestyle, leaving them uniquely impacted when they find themselves retired and alone.
Roberts also says many veterans have been especially driven by the spirit of providing service to their communities.
“In many ways, veterans are the epitome of being active contributors earlier in their lives,” Roberts says. “When they transition into older age, many continue making these active contributions, but others suffer from serious health conditions that can make them feel marginalized and isolated.”
To tackle this problem, Roberts enthusiastically agreed to join forces with Ming Zhao, an associate professor of computer science and engineering in the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU.