Accessible and Inclusive Mobile Application for Social Support and m-Health in Forced Isolation: SAFE TALK.

The condition of forced isolation due to the Covid-19 Pandemic clearly highlighted the importance of social support. Indeed, the absence of interaction with families and friends in the presence can lead to feelings of loneliness, abandonment, psychological discomfort, anxiety, and depression, especially for the elderly. On this premise, adopting a user-centered approach, an app for social and professional support SAFE TALK was created and evaluated recruiting end users. The participatory activities involving elderly informed the design of the app prototypes, while at a second stage two samples of target users (i.e., elderly and psychologists) were considered in the evaluations of the SAFE TALK app. The performance, usability, accessibility, and user experience of the app were tested. Findings showed that despite a slightly lower performance of the elderly, both groups of individuals positively evaluated the usability, accessibility, and user experience of the app. SAFE TALK was appreciated by the elderly as a potential supportive tool in case of forced isolation to reach their social sphere and eventually a professional. Psychologists reported the relevance of the app as a tool to remotely support people in conditions of need.