Aged care provider Bolton Clarke and RMIT are running a trial of the 3D-printed wearable CaT (Conversation as Therapy) pin device they have developed to track the conversations older people have during the day to see if it correlates with risk of loneliness.

The device takes the form of a lapel pin or brooch and works by detecting when somebody is speaking and having conversations. It does not record what is being said, but rather how much time is spent in conversation.

Following a proof of concept trial, Bolton Clarke is now looking for older Melbourne residents who live alone to trial the technology.

Bolton Clarke Research Institute senior research fellow Rajna Ogrin said almost half of all Australians over 65 report feeling lonely sometimes, with the risk increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Ogrin said research shows older people who experience loneliness are at risk of health consequences including disrupted sleep, elevated blood pressure, increases in the stress hormone cortisol, altered immunity and increased depression.

The CaT Pin is a wearable device, developed using 3D printing. Each pin is modelled on an individual client’s personal artefacts and items such as medals, lace or jewellery, creating an item the client feels comfortable to wear and use.

The idea is that when conversation drops below a certain number of words per hour, or words per day, a text message can be sent to a loved one, volunteer phone service or health care worker. This would alert that person to make a phone call or drop around for a conversation, helping to ameliorate the experience of loneliness.

“We are inviting both people who are feeling lonely and those who aren’t, to see if we can pick up a difference,” Dr Ogrin said.

“As part of testing whether this works, we will also ask people wearing the CaT Pin how they were feeling during the day, with the aim of linking up the level of conversation with those feelings.”