Factors influencing technology use among low-income older adults: A systematic review

The Associations Between Social Support From Adult Children (SSAC) and the Risk of Later-Life Depression (LLD) Among Rural Older Individuals: A Longitudinal Study Based on 2011 to 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study Data

This study was designed to investigate the implications of perceived social support from adult children (SSAC) on the incidence of later-life depression (LLD) among rural older adults in China. A total of 1762 participants without depressive symptoms and aged ≥60 years at baseline were recruited from three waves (2011, 2013, and 2015) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and followed up until 2018. After following-up for 2-7 years (average 4.6 years), a total of 746 participants (43.2%) were identified with LLD and the overall incidence of LLD was 128.5 per 1000 person-years. Univariate and multiple Cox regression analysis consistently indicated that receiving living care support was the sole form of SSAC that may significantly reduce the risk of LLD in rural older adults in China (HR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.70-0.95, p = .008). These results may be of assistance in comprehensively understanding the role of SSAC in the mental health of older adults.

Barriers and Benefits of Online Group Exercise Programs for Older Adults

Engaging in regular physical activity offers a myriad of benefits, including the improvement of mental health, social well-being, and cognitive function. Unfortunately, obstacles, such as transportation constraints, time limitations, and inadequate exercise facilities, hinder the regular participation of older adults in physical activity. Online group physical activity programs present a promising solution to enhance the involvement of older adults; however, several barriers impede their effective utilization. To explore these barriers and benefits, we conducted semi-structured interviews with participants and instructors of a community-based exercise program. Thematic analysis of interviews with 12 physical activity instructors and eight program participants unveiled key hindrances, including limited awareness and accessibility of online programs, challenges in assessing performance during exercise sessions, lack of social component, and technological difficulties. On the positive side, the benefits encompass convenience, wide accessibility, and enhanced social comfort. We also deliberate on future considerations to further bolster participation in these programs.

What drives low-income older adults' intention to use mobility applications?

AIM

Mobility applications have the potential to support low-income older adults in facing mobility challenges. However, there is a generally lower uptake of technology in this segment. To understand factors affecting the intention to use a mobility app, we drew upon the Protection Motivation Theory, and tested a model of low-income older adults' technology adoption.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted across seven states in Malaysia among community-dwelling low-income older adults aged ≥60 years old (n = 282). Measurement items were adapted from pre-validated scales and 7-point Likert Scales were used. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was utilized to assess the hypothesized model.

RESULTS

Mobility technology awareness was found to shape an individual's threat and coping appraisals associated with their intention to use a mobility app. The decision of a low-income older adult to adopt a mobility app as a protective action is not a direct function of threat and coping appraisals but is indirect, and mediated by the underlying cost-benefit perceptions of non-adoption and adoption of the mobility app. In terms of technology perceptions, perceived usefulness is a significant predictor, but not perceived ease of use.

CONCLUSIONS

This study entails a new model by uncovering the psychological factors encompassing mobility technology awareness, threat-coping appraisals, and cost-benefit perceptions on Technology Acceptance Model studies. These insights have important implications for the development and implementation of a mobility app among low-income older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 342-350.

Feasibility of Using Text Messaging to Identify and Assist Patients With Hypertension With Health-Related Social Needs: Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Health-related social needs are associated with poor health outcomes, increased acute health care use, and impaired chronic disease management. Given these negative outcomes, an increasing number of national health care organizations have recommended that the health system screen and address unmet health-related social needs as a routine part of clinical care, but there are limited data on how to implement social needs screening in clinical settings to improve the management of chronic diseases such as hypertension. SMS text messaging could be an effective and efficient approach to screen patients; however, there are limited data on the feasibility of using it.

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with hypertension to determine the feasibility of using SMS text messaging to screen patients for unmet health-related social needs.

METHODS

We randomly selected 200 patients (≥18 years) from 1 academic health system. Patients were included if they were seen at one of 17 primary care clinics that were part of the academic health system and located in Forsyth County, North Carolina. We limited the sample to patients seen in one of these clinics to provide tailored information about local community-based resources. To ensure that the participants were still patients within the clinic, we only included those who had a visit in the previous 3 months. The SMS text message included a link to 6 questions regarding food, housing, and transportation. Patients who screened positive and were interested received a subsequent message with information about local resources. We assessed the proportion of patients who completed the questions. We also evaluated for the differences in the demographics between patients who completed the questions and those who did not using bivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Of the 200 patients, the majority were female (n=109, 54.5%), non-Hispanic White (n=114, 57.0%), and received commercial insurance (n=105, 52.5%). There were no significant differences in demographics between the 4446 patients who were eligible and the 200 randomly selected patients. Of the 200 patients included, the SMS text message was unable to be delivered to 9 (4.5%) patients and 17 (8.5%) completed the social needs questionnaire. We did not observe a significant difference in the demographic characteristics of patients who did versus did not complete the questionnaire. Of the 17, a total of 5 (29.4%) reported at least 1 unmet need, but only 2 chose to receive resource information.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that only 8.5% (n=17) of patients completed a SMS text message-based health-related social needs questionnaire. SMS text messaging may not be feasible as a single modality to screen patients in this population. Future research should evaluate if SMS text message-based social needs screening is feasible in other populations or effective when paired with other screening modalities.