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Rotenberg S, Oreper JS, Bar Y, Davids-Brumer N, Dawson DR. "It's better than nothing, but I do not find it to be ideal": Older adults' experience of TeleRehab during the first COVID-19 lockdown. J Appl Gerontol 2022; 42:811-820. [PMID: 36471551 PMCID: PMC9729721 DOI: 10.1177/07334648221144022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This qualitative study used descriptive thematic analysis to explore the experiences of 16 older adults (age: 71 ± 6.4) who transitioned from an in-person to telerehabilitation (TeleRehab) group intervention in March 2020. We found the following themes: (1A) Technology Use, describing challenges and need for support; and (1B) Technology Self-Efficacy, describing how technological ability was attributed to past-experience and/or age. Four themes described the intervention experience. First, "Not The Same, But Better Than Nothing" (2A), reflected a preference for in-person intervention. Specifically, in-person training provided a better social experience (theme 2B), and stronger accountability, although the content was well delivered in both modalities (theme 2C). Contextual factors (theme 2D) that played a role were ease of commute, especially important during the winter, and the context of the lockdown, that positioned the TeleRehab intervention as a meaningful social activity. However, sensory impairments, and/or distractions in the home diminished the TeleRehab experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shlomit Rotenberg
- Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,Rotman Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada,Shlomit Rotenberg, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto Temerty Faculty of Medicine, 160 - 500 University Ave, Toronto, ON M6A 2E1, Canada.
| | - Julie S. Oreper
- Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yael Bar
- Rotman Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Naomi Davids-Brumer
- Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Deirdre R. Dawson
- Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,Rotman Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada,Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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