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Elliot V, Kosteniuk J, O'Connell ME, Cameron C, Morgan D. Services for older adults in rural primary care memory clinic communities and surrounding areas: a qualitative descriptive study. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:725. [PMID: 38872136 PMCID: PMC11170901 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-11167-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES As part of a larger study, and in collaboration with rural primary health care teams, RaDAR (Rural Dementia Action Research) primary care memory clinics have evolved and continue to spread in communities across southeast Saskatchewan, Canada. This study focuses on the geographical areas of the four communities where RaDAR memory clinics were first developed and implemented and describes the services and supports available to older adults including memory clinic patients and families living in these areas. Our goal was to identify and describe existing programs and gaps, create inventories and maps, and explore the service experiences of family caregivers of people living with dementia in these rural areas. METHODS Using a qualitative descriptive design, an environmental scan of services was conducted from December 2020 to April 2021 using focus groups (n = 4) with health care providers/managers (n = 12), a secondary source (e.g., program brochures) review, and a systematic internet search targeting four RaDAR memory clinic communities and surrounding areas via community websites, online resources, and the 211 Saskatchewan service database. Data were analyzed using content analysis; findings informed semi-structured interviews with caregivers (n = 5) conducted from March to July 2022, which were analyzed thematically. Geographic areas explored in this study covered an area of approximately 5666 km2. RESULTS From the scan, 43 services were identified, categorized into 7 service types, and mapped by location. Seventeen services were dementia-related. Services included social/leisure activities (n = 14), general support/referrals (n = 13), transportation (n = 7), information/education (n = 4), respite (n = 2), in-home care (n = 2), and safety (n = 1). Service levels included local (n = 24), provincial (n = 17), and national (n = 2), and were offered in-person, remotely (or both) with 20 services across 4 service types offered remotely. In general, most services had no fees, involved self-referral, and providers had a range of education/training. Key interview themes reflected the need for locally available, accessible services that offer (i) individualized, flexible, needs-based approaches, (ii) in-home care and continuity of care, and (iii) both formal and informal supports. Key gaps were identified, including (i) locally accessible, available services and resources in general, (ii) dementia-related training and education for service providers, and (iii) awareness of available services. Benefits of services, consequences of gaps, and recommendations to address gaps were reported. In general, service providers and program participants were an even mix of females and males, and program content was gender neutral. CONCLUSIONS Findings highlight a range of available services, and a number of varied service-user experiences and perspectives, in these rural areas. Key service gaps were identified, and caregivers made some specific recommendations to address these gaps. Findings underscore multiple opportunities to inform service delivery and program participation for rural and remote people living with dementia and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Elliot
- Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health, University of Saskatchewan, 104 Clinic Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (SK), SK S7N 2Z4, Canada.
| | - Julie Kosteniuk
- Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health, University of Saskatchewan, 104 Clinic Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (SK), SK S7N 2Z4, Canada
| | - Megan E O'Connell
- Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Chelsie Cameron
- Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health, University of Saskatchewan, 104 Clinic Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (SK), SK S7N 2Z4, Canada
| | - Debra Morgan
- Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health, University of Saskatchewan, 104 Clinic Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (SK), SK S7N 2Z4, Canada
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Song K, Chung S. Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Obsession with COVID-19 among Older Adults. Psychiatr Q 2024; 95:221-231. [PMID: 38634940 DOI: 10.1007/s11126-024-10070-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, older people were socially isolated for their protection against the virus impacting their mental health. Aiming to explore the role of loneliness and social isolation in the obsession with COVID-19 among older adults, we conducted an anonymous online survey with 300 older adults aged 65-80 years in South Korea between January and February 2023. The survey collected demographic information, past psychiatric history, medical disease, current psychological distress, and experiences related to COVID-19. Rating scales were the Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS), Coronavirus Reassurance-seeking Behaviors Scale (CRBS), Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-6 items (SAVE-6), and Loneliness and Social Isolation Scale (LSIS). The regression analysis revealed that CRBS (β = 0.55, p < 0.001) and SAVE-6 (β = 0.34, p < 0.001) were significant predictors of obsession with COVID-19 (adjusted R2 = 0.63, F = 126.9, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis showed that loneliness and social isolation had a positive total effect on obsession with COVID-19, mediated by reassurance-seeking behavior and viral anxiety (Standardized Estimator = 0.21, standard error = 0.05, p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval 0.20-0.41). Loneliness and social isolation were found to be indirectly linked to obsession with COVID-19 through reassurance-seeking behavior and viral anxiety. The findings highlight the importance of addressing loneliness and social isolation among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent obsession with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayoung Song
- Department of Psychiatry, Veteran Health Service Medical Center, 53, Jinhwangdo-ro 61-gil, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, 05368, Korea
| | - Seockhoon Chung
- Department of Psychiatry, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 86 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Korea.
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Wright K, Levine DK, Salcido M, Garringer M, Almendra T, Bazell A, Kaufman MR. From crisis to capacity: Lessons learned from youth e-mentoring during the COVID-19 pandemic. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR REPORTS 2024; 14:None. [PMID: 38803625 PMCID: PMC11127795 DOI: 10.1016/j.chbr.2024.100400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated need for social isolation left in-person youth mentoring programs scrambling to keep mentees and mentors connected, and many programs turned to e-mentoring. To better understand the transition period and to inform e-mentoring practice in a post-COVID world, this study explored the experience of mentoring programs shifting to e-mentoring during the first year of the pandemic. Seven remote focus group discussions were conducted with twenty-three staff members from twenty U.S. youth mentoring organizations that used the iCouldBe e-mentoring platform during Spring/summer 2020 or Fall/Winter 2020-2021. Thematic content analysis was used to uncover insights from the data. E-mentoring was successful overall for keeping mentees and mentors in touch, especially for matches with a strong connection before the pandemic. Zoom and text messaging were the most used virtual communication methods. Programs faced many challenges but also experienced unexpected positives, including a strong interest in future e-mentoring implementation. Participants recommended that programs interested in e-mentoring start small and with intention; they also requested a central website with e-mentoring support and ways to connect with other programs and mentors. Although the literature on e-mentoring remains limited, this study contributes a picture of e-mentoring success even during a global crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Wright
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Deborah K. Levine
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 447 43rd Street, Oakland, CA 94609, USA
| | - Maritza Salcido
- University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schloßplatz 4, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Tselza Almendra
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 3743 S. Ferntower Ave, West Covina, CA, 91792, USA
| | - Alicia Bazell
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Michelle R. Kaufman
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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Polonijo AN, Nguyen AL, Greene KY, Lopez JL, Yoo-Jeong M, Ruiz EL, Christensen C, Galea JT, Brown B. Brief virtual intervention associated with increased social engagement and decreased negative affect among people aging with HIV. AIDS Care 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38497407 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2024.2329644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Virtual Villages-online communities that deliver supports to promote aging in place-are proposed to mitigate isolation and support the health of aging populations. Using a community-engaged approach, we developed and pilot-tested a Virtual Village intervention tailored for people living with HIV (PLWH) aged 50+ . The intervention employed a Discord server featuring social interaction, regional and national resources, expert presentations, and mindful meditation exercises. In 2022, a sample of PLWH aged 50+ from three U.S. study sites participated in a four-week pilot. Pre- and post-intervention surveys assessed participants' demographic characteristics; degree of loneliness, social connectedness, HIV-related stigma, and technology acceptance; mental wellbeing and physical health outcomes; and user experience. Participants (N = 20) were socioeconomically and racially/ethnically diverse, aged 51-88 years, and predominantly identified as gay or bisexual men (75%). Paired t-tests revealed a significant increase in participants' mean social engagement scores and a significant decrease in participants' mean negative affect scores, following the intervention. User experience scores were acceptable and participants reported a positive sense of connectedness to the Virtual Village community. Results suggest that a virtual community can be accessible to older PLWH and may enhance social engagement and improve aspects of mental wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea N Polonijo
- Department of Sociology and the Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced, California, USA
| | - Annie L Nguyen
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Karah Y Greene
- College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, School of Social Work, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Jasmine L Lopez
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Moka Yoo-Jeong
- School of Nursing, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Erik L Ruiz
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | | | - Jerome T Galea
- College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, School of Social Work, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brandon Brown
- Department of Social Medicine, Population and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, California, USA
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Peng R, Li X, Guo Y, Ning H, Huang J, Jiang D, Feng H, Liu Q. Barriers and facilitators to acceptance and implementation of eMental-health intervention among older adults: A qualitative systematic review. Digit Health 2024; 10:20552076241234628. [PMID: 38444518 PMCID: PMC10913496 DOI: 10.1177/20552076241234628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Electronic mental health interventions are effective but not well promoted currently among older adults. This study sought to systematically review and summarize the barriers and facilitators of accepting and implementing electronic mental health interventions among older adults. Methods We comprehensively retrieved six electronic databases from January 2012 to September 2022: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO, and CINAHL. The JBI-QARI was used to assess the quality of the research methodology of each publication. Eligible studies underwent data coding and synthesis aligned to inductive and deductive methods. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research 2.0 was used as a deductive framework to guide a more structured analysis. Results The systematic review screened 4309 articles, 17 of which were included (eight with mixed methods and nine with qualitative methods). We identified and extracted the barriers and facilitators of accepting and implementing electronic mental health interventions among older adults: (1) innovation: technology challenges, optimized functions, and contents, security and privacy; (2) outer setting: community engagement and partnerships, financing; (3) inner setting: leadership engagement, available resources, incompatibility, intergenerational support, training and guidance; (4) individuals: perceptions, capability, motivation of older adults and healthcare providers; and (5) implementation process: recruit, external assistance, and team. Conclusion These findings are critical to optimizing, promoting, and expanding electronic mental health interventions among older adults. The systematic review also provides a reference for better evidence-based implementation strategies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruotong Peng
- Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoyang Li
- Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yongzhen Guo
- Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hongting Ning
- Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jundan Huang
- Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Dian Jiang
- Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hui Feng
- Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Oceanwide Health Management Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qingcai Liu
- Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Sams N, Darnell D, Fisher D, Allred R, Huyhn K, Mosser BA, Areán PA. Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on U.S. older adults: self-reported pandemic-related concerns and consequences in a cross-sectional survey study. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1203473. [PMID: 38046116 PMCID: PMC10693407 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1203473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and objectives The purpose of this study was to explore COVID-19 pandemic-related concerns among a racially and ethnically representative sample of older adults in the U.S. Research design and methods Participants were 501 English-speaking adults 60 years and older recruited online nationally across the U.S. from Amazon Mechanical Turk (mTurk) and Prolific Research Platforms during June of 2020. Data comes from a larger cross-sectional survey. We content analyzed open-ended responses about pandemic-related concerns and observed responses to a checklist of items created by the research team to assess for specific physical, social, and financial consequences experienced due to the pandemic. Results A majority of the sample (92%) reported at least one pandemic-related concern, with the highest percentage expressing concerns coded as Concern for Others (28%), Physical Health (27%), Socializing (24%), Finance (15%) and Socio-Political-Economic (14%). Participants reported high concern severity (M = 4.03, SD = 1.04) about their concerns mentioned in response to the open-ended concerns question. When prompted with a checklist of items, participants frequently endorsed disruption in social activities as a consequence of the pandemic (83%), disruptions that could impact physical health (45%), and concern over finances as a consequence of the pandemic (41%). Discussion and implications Older adults most frequently mentioned concerns about the well-being and behavior of others, one's own physical health, and the impacts of the pandemic and social distancing policies on social activities. Findings align with the Socioemotional Selectivity Theory and point to the importance of supporting older adults to maintain meaningful social engagement under conditions of a pandemic and social distancing policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nichole Sams
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- CREATIV Lab, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- ALACRITY Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Doyanne Darnell
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Dylan Fisher
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- CREATIV Lab, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Ryan Allred
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- CREATIV Lab, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- ALACRITY Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Kathy Huyhn
- CREATIV Lab, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Brittany A. Mosser
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- CREATIV Lab, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- ALACRITY Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Patricia A. Areán
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- CREATIV Lab, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- ALACRITY Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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Hatch S, Finlayson M, Rej S, Kessler D. Virtually-Delivered Emotion Focused Mindfulness Therapy (EFMT) Group vs. Wait-List Control for Late-Life Anxiety: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2023; 31:767-782. [PMID: 37169708 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2023.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The worldwide annual prevalence of anxiety in older adults is estimated to be between 6% and 10%. Emotion Focused Mindfulness Therapy (EFMT) is a mindfulness-based group intervention that has been demonstrated to reduce symptoms of anxiety in community dwelling adults. No study has yet assessed EFMT for older adults with late-life anxiety. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of video-delivered group EFMT for older adults living in community settings, a novel and potentially scalable intervention. METHODS This was a feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT) of 48 older adults (≥55 years old), recruited through primary care, community organizations and snowball methods. Participants were randomized to group EFMT delivered by Zoom vs. a wait-list control. Data were collected at baseline (T1), 9 weeks following baseline (T2, primary study endpoint) and 17 weeks following baseline (T3). Random allocation was conducted immediately after each group of 12 participants had been enrolled into the trial, with groups beginning on a rolling basis each time a block of 12 participants had been enrolled. The main efficacy outcome examined changes over time to anxiety. RESULTS Recruitment was successfully completed in 32 weeks. Enrollment was calculated at 62.3% (48 of 77 people screened). Retention (80.0%) and adherence (100.0% for intervention group participants) were excellent. The EFMT group had significant improvements in anxiety at T2 compared to the wait-list control group (-3.47 [4.12] vs.-1.22 [3.25] points, p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Virtually-delivered EFMT appears to be a feasible, acceptable, and efficacious group treatment to improve late-life anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey Hatch
- Aging and Health Program (SH, MF, DK), School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
| | - Marcia Finlayson
- Aging and Health Program (SH, MF, DK), School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Soham Rej
- Department of Psychiatry (SR), Lady Davis Institute/Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Dorothy Kessler
- Aging and Health Program (SH, MF, DK), School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
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Shioya R, Nakagomi A, Ide K, Kondo K. Video call and depression among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: The JAGES one-year longitudinal study. Soc Sci Med 2023; 321:115777. [PMID: 36841222 PMCID: PMC9933485 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Evidence of video call on preventing late-life depression during the COVID-19 pandemic is limited. We examined the associations of social contact (in-person, voice call, and video call) with incidence of depressive symptoms and evaluated whether specific factors (particularly, age and change in the frequency of in-person contact) affect these associations. We used longitudinal data from the 2019 and 2020 waves of the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study, including 10,523 participants aged ≥65 years in 10 municipalities. Depressive symptoms were measured by the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) score ≥5 in main analysis, and GDS-15 score ≥4, 10, or continuous variable in sensitivity analyses. Social contact represented frequency changes before and during the pandemic: non-contact (reference), decreased-contact, maintained-contact, and increased-contact. We employed modified Poisson regression analysis. Compared to non-contact of video call, the association of increased-contact of video call with depressive symptoms was insignificant in main analysis (GDS-15 ≥ 5: risk ratio (RR) = 0.89, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.79-1.01), whereas significant in sensitivity analyses (GDS-15 ≥ 4: RR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.82-0.98; GDS-15 ≥ 10: RR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.53-0.97; GDS-15 = continuous variable: Β = -0.17, 95% CI: -0.33 to -0.002). In-person contact was significantly associated with lower incidence of depressive symptoms (non-contact: reference; maintained-contact: RR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.85-0.99; increased-contact: RR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.77-0.91), whereas voice call was not. Age and change in the frequency of in-person contact did not show significant effect modifications on the associations of video call with incidence of depressive symptoms after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. In conclusion, this study suggests that the evidence supporting video call as a way to protect against depressive symptoms among older adults during the pandemic appears weak compared to the evidence for in-person contact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryunosuke Shioya
- Department of Social Preventive Medical Sciences, Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoi-Cho, Inage-Ku, Chiba-Shi, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nakagomi
- Department of Social Preventive Medical Sciences, Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoi-Cho, Inage-Ku, Chiba-Shi, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan.
| | - Kazushige Ide
- Department of Social Preventive Medical Sciences, Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoi-Cho, Inage-Ku, Chiba-Shi, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan
| | - Katsunori Kondo
- Department of Social Preventive Medical Sciences, Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoi-Cho, Inage-Ku, Chiba-Shi, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan; Department of Gerontological Evaluation, Center for Gerontology and Social Science, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 7-430, Morioka-Cho, Obu-Shi, Aichi, 474-8511, Japan
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Plummer J, Nguyen K, Everly J, Kiesow A, Leith K, Neils-Strunjas J. How an Intergenerational Book Club Can Prevent Cognitive Decline in Older Adults: A Pilot Study. Gerontol Geriatr Med 2023; 9:23337214221150061. [PMID: 36698383 PMCID: PMC9869223 DOI: 10.1177/23337214221150061] [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] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Older adults are at higher risk for social isolation because of widowhood, loss of friends, retirement, physical limitations, geographic relocation, and caregiving demands. Behavioral interventions aimed at increasing social contact may help to maintain cognition and prevent cognitive decline. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine a novel intervention for social isolation with an intergenerational book club that had weekly in-person and virtual meetings of college students and older adults. We wanted to know whether the study was feasible and if our methods would be likely to generate meaningful results should it be expanded to a larger number of participants. We predicted that wellbeing and cognition would improve following participation in the book club. Results found that while measures of quality of life and affect were not statistically different before and after participation in a book club, scores on a measure of cognition (the Montreal Cognitive Assessment) were statistically significant between groups (intervention and control) showing greater improvement among book club participants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jean Neils-Strunjas
- University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA,Jean Neils-Strunjas, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 1705 College Street, Room 215, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
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Aleti T, Figueiredo B, Martin DM, Reid M. Socialisation Agents' Use(fulness) for Older Consumers Learning ICT. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1715. [PMID: 36767082 PMCID: PMC9914459 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This research investigates the socialisation agents older consumers use to learn about information and communication technologies (ICT). We surveyed 871 older consumers in Victoria, Australia, about whom they would most likely turn to for advice (i.e., their preferred socialisation agents) if they needed help using or fixing an ICT device. They were asked to identify the most and second most likely source of advice. Participants were also asked to assess the usefulness of the advice received from their preferred agents and to estimate their level of ICT knowledge. The findings reveal that older consumers tend to rely on younger family members. Still, the agency they receive from non-familial sources is essential when preparing for a digital consumer role. Surprisingly, ICT knowledge is determined by the socialisation agency received by older adults' second advice option-which is less likely to be their own adult children. This research expands current knowledge about how older consumers perceive various ICT socialisation agents. Consumer socialisation theory suggests that socialisation agents impact how consumers function in the marketplace. Although the first choice of socialisation agent may be perceived as beneficial for older adults, the advice given does not relate to marketplace functioning regarding improved ICT knowledge.
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Grohé J, Gellert P, Kessler EM. Experiences of Home-living Vulnerable Older Adults with Clinical Depression during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study. Clin Gerontol 2023; 46:789-800. [PMID: 35749153 DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2022.2091499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Little is known about the diversity of older adults' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. We therefore investigated the pandemic experiences of home-living vulnerable older adults with depression, an understudied subpopulation. METHODS We conducted unstructured interviews with N= 20 older (60+ years) adults with clinical depression receiving care in their homes in June and again in December 2020. Interviews were coded according to the grounded theory approach. RESULTS We identified eight themes. Participants described feeling disconnected before and during the pandemic, which they attributed to their physical impairments and old age. Their social relations with family, medical providers, and caregivers helped them feel connected. Participants did not feel significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but they missed social and physical contact. During the pandemic, isolation was normalized. Participants therefore experienced loneliness due to their isolation, but also a sense of togetherness with the rest of society. Isolation within the home was re-framed as cocooning, which provided a sense of autonomy. Participants nevertheless expressed resignation. CONCLUSIONS Home-living vulnerable older adults with depression experienced loneliness but also a degree of relief during the pandemic. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Positively re-framing isolation and the stability of formal caregiving helped participants endure feeling disconnected during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Grohé
- Department of Psychology, MSB Medical School Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Medical Sociology and Rehabilitation Science, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul Gellert
- Institute of Medical Sociology and Rehabilitation Science, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eva-Marie Kessler
- Department of Psychology, MSB Medical School Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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12
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Roberts S, Kelman I. Governing digital health for infectious disease outbreaks. Glob Public Health 2023; 18:2241894. [PMID: 37620749 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2023.2241894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACTHow can governing digital health for infectious disease outbreaks be enhanced? In many ways, the COVID-19 pandemic has simultaneously represented both the potential and marked limitations of digital health practices for infectious disease outbreaks. During the pandemic's initial stages, states along with Big Data and Big Tech actors unleashed a scope of both established and experimental digital technologies for tracking infections, hospitalisations, and deaths from COVID-19 - and sometimes exposure to the virus SARS-CoV-2. Despite the proliferation of these technologies at the global level, transnational and cross-border integration, and cooperation within digital health responses to COVID-19 often faltered, while digital health regulations were fragmented, contested, and uncoordinated. This article presents a critiquing reflection of approaches to conceptualising, understanding, and implementing digital health for infectious disease outbreaks, observed from COVID-19 and previous examples. In assessing the strengths and limitations of existing practices of governing digital health for infectious disease outbreaks, this article particularly examines 'informal' digital health to build upon and consider how digitised responses to addressing and governing infectious disease outbreaks may be reconceptualised, revisited, or revised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Roberts
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ilan Kelman
- Institute for Global Health, Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction (IRDR), University College London, London, UK
- University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
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13
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Sheahan J, Hjorth L, Figueiredo B, Martin DM, Reid M, Aleti T, Buschgens M. Co-Creating ICT Risk Strategies with Older Australians: A Workshop Model. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:52. [PMID: 36612373 PMCID: PMC9819817 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
As digital inclusion becomes a growing indicator of wellbeing in later life, the ability to understand older adults' preferences for information and communication technologies (ICTs) and develop strategies to support their digital literacy is critical. The barriers older adults face include their perceived ICT risks and capacity to learn. Complexities, including ICT environmental stressors and societal norms, may require concerted engagement with older adults to achieve higher digital literacy competencies. This article describes the results of a series of co-design workshops to develop strategies for increased ICT competencies and reduced perceived risks among older adults. Engaging older Australians in three in-person workshops (each workshop consisting of 15 people), this study adapted the "Scenario Personarrative Method" to illustrate the experiences of people with technology and rich pictures of the strategies seniors employ. Through the enrichment of low-to-high-digital-literacy personas and mapping workshop participant responses to several scenarios, the workshops contextualized the different opportunities and barriers seniors may face, offering a useful approach toward collaborative strategy development. We argued that in using co-designed persona methods, scholars can develop more nuance in generating ICT risk strategies that are built with and for older adults. By allowing risks to be contextualized through this approach, we illustrated the novelty of adapting the Scenario Personarrative Method to provide insights into perceived barriers and to build skills, motivations, and strategies toward enhancing digital literacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Sheahan
- School of Design, College of Design and Social Context, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Larissa Hjorth
- School of Media and Communications, College of Design and Social Context, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Bernardo Figueiredo
- School of Economics, Finance and Marketing, College of Business, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Diane M. Martin
- School of Economics, Finance and Marketing, College of Business, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Mike Reid
- School of Economics, Finance and Marketing, College of Business, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Torgeir Aleti
- School of Economics, Finance and Marketing, College of Business, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Mark Buschgens
- School of Marketing and Management, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
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14
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Chu C, Brual J, Fang J, Fleury C, Stamenova V, Bhattacharyya O, Tadrous M. The Use of Telemedicine in Older-Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Weekly Cross-Sectional Analysis in Ontario, Canada. Can Geriatr J 2022; 25:380-389. [PMID: 36505915 PMCID: PMC9684028 DOI: 10.5770/cgj.25.610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic led to rapid adoption of telemedicine for health-care service delivery. There are concerns that older adults, the highest users of the health-care system, would be left behind because of this shift. It remains unclear how the pandemic impacted telemedicine and other health-care service use in this group. We conducted a population-based, weekly cross-sectional study using administrative data from Ontario, Canada. Telemedicine use was measured for the overall older-adult population aged 65+ and across sociodemographic groups from January 2018 to March 2021. We also assessed the use of key health-care services between high and low patient users of telemedicine who were diagnosed with dementia. We found that telemedicine visits outnumbered in-person visits in older adults during the pandemic (average of 74 vs. 62 visits per 1000 per week). Of all specialties, psychiatrists delivered the most telemedicine visits, reaching 90% of visits in a week. Higher rates of telemedicine use during COVID-19 were found for patients who resided in urban regions (84 visits per 1000 per week), but no differences were found across income quintiles. Among dementia patients, high telemedicine users had higher health-care utilization than low telemedicine users (i.e., 21,108 vs. 3,276 outpatient visits per week) during the pandemic. Findings suggest that telemedicine was crucial in helping older adults, a group most vulnerable to COVID-19, maintain access to care during the pandemic. Telemedicine presents an important opportunity for older adults; however, future research should focus on barriers to equitable access and quality of care provided through telemedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cherry Chu
- Women’s College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care, Toronto, ON
| | - Janette Brual
- Women’s College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care, Toronto, ON
| | | | - Cathleen Fleury
- Women’s College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care, Toronto, ON
| | - Vess Stamenova
- Women’s College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care, Toronto, ON
| | - Onil Bhattacharyya
- Women’s College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care, Toronto, ON,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON,Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
| | - Mina Tadrous
- Women’s College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care, Toronto, ON,ICES, Toronto, ON,Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
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15
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Pearson GS. Kinship Influences on Adult Mental Health During a Pandemic. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc 2022; 28:431-432. [PMID: 36271661 DOI: 10.1177/10783903221130033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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16
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Elimelech OC, Ferrante S, Josman N, Meyer S, Lunardini F, Gómez-Raja J, Galán C, Cáceres P, Sciama P, Gros M, Vurro C, Rosenblum S. Technology use characteristics among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-cultural survey. TECHNOLOGY IN SOCIETY 2022; 71:102080. [PMID: 35991080 PMCID: PMC9376146 DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2022.102080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Personal computers, tablets, and smartphones may support older adults' engagement when people are required to stay home and opportunities to engage in meaningful activities are reduced during the COVID-19 period. This study aims to screen older adults' technology-use characteristics across social, leisure, and education domains during the COVID-19 pandemic from a crosscultural viewpoint. The sample included 576 participants aged 60 and older from France (n = 62), Spain (n = 110), and Israel (n = 404). Participants completed the technology-use survey, which consists of questions about their facilities, technology usability, need for adaptations to support technology use, and changes in technology use since COVID-19. Significant differences were found between countries in facilities, χ2 (2) = 25.16, p < .001, and usability, χ2 (2) = 64.14, p < .001, across the three domains. Furthermore, 34% of technological usability was predicted by country and facilities, F (4, 568) = 72.39, p < .001. Participants noted a willingness to use technology if it was adapted for social (61%-73%), leisure (51%-71%), or educational (67%-76%) activities and that they devoted substantially more time to technology across domains (>58%) due to COVID-19. These findings highlight culture and facilities as factors that play an imperative role in supporting and enhancing the usability of technology among older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ortal Cohen Elimelech
- The Laboratory of Complex Human Activity and Participation, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Haifa, Israel
| | - Simona Ferrante
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Naomi Josman
- Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Haifa, Israel
| | - Sonya Meyer
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Francesca Lunardini
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Clodia Vurro
- Department of Economics, Management and Quantitative Methods, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Rosenblum
- The Laboratory of Complex Human Activity and Participation, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Haifa, Israel
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17
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Pike K, Moller CI, Bryant C, Farrow M, Dao DP, Ellis KA. Examination of the Feasibility, Acceptability, and Efficacy of the Online Personalised Training in Memory Strategies for Everyday (OPTIMiSE) Program for Older Adults: Results from a Single-Arm Pre-Post Trial (Preprint). J Med Internet Res 2022; 25:e41712. [PMID: 37079356 PMCID: PMC10160943 DOI: 10.2196/41712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Memory strategy training for older adults helps maintain and improve cognitive health but is traditionally offered face-to-face, which is resource intensive, limits accessibility, and is challenging during a pandemic. Web-based interventions, such as the Online Personalised Training in Memory Strategies for Everyday (OPTIMiSE) program, may overcome such barriers. OBJECTIVE We report on OPTIMiSE's feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy. METHODS Australians aged ≥60 years reporting subjective cognitive decline participated in this single-arm pre-post web-based intervention. OPTIMiSE is a 6-module web-based program offered over 8-weeks with a 3-month booster. It has a problem-solving approach to memory issues, focusing on psychoeducation about memory and aging, knowledge and practice of compensatory memory strategies, and personalized content related to individual priorities. We examined the feasibility (recruitment, attrition, and data collection), acceptability (recommendation to others, suggestions for improvement, and withdrawal reasons), and efficacy (change in goal satisfaction, strategy knowledge and use, self-reported memory, memory satisfaction and knowledge, and mood; thematic content analysis of the most significant change; and the application of knowledge and strategies in daily life) of OPTIMiSE. RESULTS OPTIMiSE was feasible, demonstrated by strong interest (633 individuals screened), a satisfactory level of attrition (158/312, 50.6%), and minimal missing data from those completing the intervention. It was acceptable, with 97.4% (150/154) of participants agreeing they would recommend OPTIMiSE, the main suggestion for improvement being more time to complete modules, and withdrawal reasons similar to those in in-person interventions. OPTIMiSE was also efficacious, with linear mixed-effects analyses revealing improvements, of moderate to large effect sizes, across all primary outcomes (all P<.001): memory goal satisfaction (Cohen d after course=1.24; Cohen d at 3-month booster=1.64), strategy knowledge (Cohen d after course=0.67; Cohen d at 3-month booster=0.72) and use (Cohen d after course=0.79; Cohen d at 3-month booster=0.90), self-reported memory (Cohen d after course=0.80; Cohen d at 3-month booster=0.83), memory satisfaction (Cohen d after course=1.25; Cohen d at 3-month booster=1.29) and knowledge (Cohen d after course=0.96; Cohen d at 3-month booster=0.26), and mood (Cohen d after course=-0.35; nonsignificant Cohen d at booster). Furthermore, the most significant changes reported by participants (strategy use, improvements in daily life, reduced concern about memory, confidence and self-efficacy, and sharing and shame busting with others) reflected the course objectives and were consistent with themes arising from previous in-person interventions. At the 3-month booster, many participants reported continued implementation of knowledge and strategies in their daily lives. CONCLUSIONS This feasible, acceptable, and efficacious web-based program has the potential to enable access to evidence-based memory interventions for older adults worldwide. Notably, the changes in knowledge, beliefs, and strategy use continued beyond the initial program. This is particularly important for supporting the growing number of older adults living with cognitive concerns. TRIAL REGISTRATION Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12620000979954; https://tinyurl.com/34cdantv. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) RR2-10.3233/ADR-200251.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerryn Pike
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
- John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing Research, La Trobe University, Wodonga, Australia
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith Centre for Mental Health & Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Carl I Moller
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Christina Bryant
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Maree Farrow
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Duy P Dao
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kathryn A Ellis
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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18
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Rosenberg D, Taipale S. Social and satisfied? Social uses of mobile phone and subjective wellbeing in later life. HUMAN TECHNOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.14254/1795-6889.2022.18-1.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The current study examined the associations between socio-demographic background and engagement in social uses of mobile phone, and between the engagement in these uses and life satisfaction and health satisfaction in later life through the lens of digital divide and uses and gratifications theories. The data, collected from the retired Internet users (62 and older) residing in seven countries (N = 5713), were analyzed using logistic and linear regression models. The results show that education and age predicted the engagement in social uses in the most consistent way. A number of social uses positively related to both life and health satisfaction. Of the particular uses, e-mailing and instant messaging were positively associated with life and health satisfaction. The results imply that socio-demographic background predicts the engagement in social uses of mobile phone in later life, that the engagement in such uses plays an overall significant role in wellbeing in later life, and that some particular uses play a greater role than others in this regard.
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Gately ME, Quach ED, Shirk SD, Trudeau SA. Understanding Variation in Adoption of Video Telehealth and Implications for Health Care Systems. MEDICAL RESEARCH ARCHIVES 2022; 10:10.18103/mra.v10i5.2751. [PMID: 36405543 PMCID: PMC9670247 DOI: 10.18103/mra.v10i5.2751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telehealth has rapidly expanded since COVID-19. Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the largest integrated health care system in the United States, was well-positioned to incorporate telehealth across specialties due to existing policies and infrastructure. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study is to investigate predictors of occupational therapy (OT) practitioners' adoption of video telehealth. METHODS This study presents data from a convenience sample of VHA occupational therapy (OT) practitioners administered pre-pandemic, in fall 2019. Survey development was guided by the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services framework, and gathered clinician attitudes, experiences, and perspectives about video telehealth to deliver OT services. Items included telehealth usage, perceived effectiveness of specific OT interventions, and perceptions about evidence. Our outcome variable denoted practitioners' level of adoption of video telehealth: telehealth users (adopters), non-users who want to use telehealth (potential adopters and reference group), and non-users who do not want to use telehealth (non-adopters). In multiple multinomial logistic regressions, we tested whether level of adoption was associated with years of VHA work experience and perceived strength of evidence. RESULTS Of approximately 1455 eligible practitioners, 305 VHA occupational therapy practitioners participated in the survey (21% response rate). One hundred and twenty-five (41%) reported using video telehealth, whereas 180 (59%) reported not using video telehealth. Among non-users, 107 (59%) indicated willingness to adopt telehealth whereas 73 (41%) were not willing. More VHA work experience predicted higher odds of being an adopter than a potential adopter; perceptions of stronger evidence regarding video telehealth predicted higher odds of being a potential adopter than a non-adopter. CONCLUSION Clinician beliefs and years of experience exerted an influence on clinicians' use or willingness to use video telehealth. Efforts to enhance adoption of video telehealth should address clinicians' beliefs regarding the innovative nature of and organizational resources necessary to foster utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Gately
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Bedford Healthcare System Bedford, MA
| | - Emma D Quach
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Bedford Healthcare System Bedford, MA
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA
- Department of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts Boston
| | - Steven D Shirk
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Scott A Trudeau
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Bedford Healthcare System Bedford, MA
- American Occupational Therapy Association, Bethesda, MD
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20
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Ryan S, Campbell P, Paskins Z, Manning F, Rule K, Brooks M, Hider S, Hassell A. Perceptions of risk in people with inflammatory arthritis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rheumatol Adv Pract 2022; 6:rkac050. [PMID: 35800066 PMCID: PMC9255274 DOI: 10.1093/rap/rkac050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective People with inflammatory arthritis have an increased incidence of serious illness and mortality, placing them at risk of poor outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study explored patients’ perceptions of risk from COVID-19 over a longitudinal period of the pandemic. Methods Fifteen adults with inflammatory arthritis attending a National Health Service rheumatology service each took part in three semi-structured telephone interviews conducted between 16 September 2020 and 29 July 2021. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was undertaken by two researchers and two public contributors. Results Four main themes relating to perceptions of risk from COVID-19 were identified: inflammatory arthritis; medications and co-morbidities; immediate social environment; health policy communication; and media influence. Participants recognized that having inflammatory arthritis increased their individual risk. Perceptions of risk and associated fear increased during the pandemic, influenced by family/friends who had had COVID-19 and health policy communications. The perceived constant use of negative messages led to many participants disengaging with the media. At the final interviews, when the vaccination programme was well established, participants continued to assess the risk and benefits of engaging in activities. Conclusion This study demonstrates the breadth of factors that influenced perceptions of risk in people with an inflammatory arthritis. As health professionals, we have only a small sphere of influence over some of these factors, namely health-care communications. People with inflammatory arthritis appropriately knew that their condition increased their infection risk, but more could be done to consider how and to what extent we involve patients in explaining risk at times of crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Ryan
- Haywood Academic Rheumatology Centre, Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Haywood Hospital , Stoke on Trent
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Keele University , Keele
| | - Paul Campbell
- Department of Research and Innovation, Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, St George’s Hospital , Stafford
- School of Medicine, Keele University , Keele
| | - Zoe Paskins
- Haywood Academic Rheumatology Centre, Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Haywood Hospital , Stoke on Trent
- School of Medicine, Keele University , Keele
| | - Fay Manning
- School of Medicine, Keele University , Keele
- Medical School, University of Exeter , Exeter, UK
| | - Katrina Rule
- Haywood Academic Rheumatology Centre, Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Haywood Hospital , Stoke on Trent
| | - Michael Brooks
- Haywood Academic Rheumatology Centre, Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Haywood Hospital , Stoke on Trent
| | - Samantha Hider
- Haywood Academic Rheumatology Centre, Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Haywood Hospital , Stoke on Trent
- School of Medicine, Keele University , Keele
| | - Andrew Hassell
- Haywood Academic Rheumatology Centre, Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Haywood Hospital , Stoke on Trent
- School of Medicine, Keele University , Keele
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21
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Ang S. Changing relationships between social contact, social support and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2022; 77:1732-1739. [PMID: 35452515 PMCID: PMC9047190 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbac063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Given the longstanding consensus that social contact can promote older adult well-being, many have focused on how social contact changed during the pandemic. Less is known, however, about whether the link between social contact and health changed during the pandemic. This study sought to understand how associations between social contact, social support, and depressive symptoms changed during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods Data from 2 waves of the Health and Retirement Study were used. Respondents reported both virtual and in-person social contact, as well as perceived positive and negative social support. Path models were used to estimate relationships between social contact, social support, and depressive symptoms. Bootstrapping was used to estimate the change in associations between 2016 and 2020. Results Estimates show that associations between positive social support and depressive symptoms, as well as between in-person social contact and depressive symptoms, attenuated during the pandemic. Virtual social contact played a relatively minor role in determining outcomes such as social support and depressive symptoms, compared to in-person social contact. Discussion Findings suggest that researchers and policymakers should not only focus on the changing quantity of social interactions when events such as the COVID-19 pandemic happen, but also the changing content and efficacy of the social interactions that remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Ang
- School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
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22
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Moye
- VA New England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School
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23
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Hall S, Sattar S, Ahmed S, Haase KR. Exploring Perceptions of Technology Use to Support Self-Management Among Older Adults with Cancer and Multimorbidities. Semin Oncol Nurs 2021; 37:151228. [PMID: 34753638 DOI: 10.1016/j.soncn.2021.151228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Our objective was to explore and describe how older adults engage with technology to support cancer self-management behaviors, particularly as they live with multimorbidity. DATA SOURCES We used a qualitative descriptive approach and semi-structured interviews with older adults with cancer who had at least one other chronic condition. Two authors analyzed the data using a descriptive thematic analysis approach using NVivo 12 software. CONCLUSION We found that older adults are interested in, if not already, engaging with technology and internet searching to manage their cancer diagnosis and treatment. Data were grouped into three themes: (1) Using technology to take control; (2) Confidence in technology supports competence in self-management; and (3) Desired features for future interventions. Participants felt they might need extra support learning how to craft a search, filter facts, and digest information from the internet to manage their cancer. Those who reported using technology to keep records about their health made more statements reflecting confidence in their technology usage. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING PRACTICE Older adults are interested in engaging technology to support self-management. The specific implications that arise from this study are that (1) older adults' interest in engaging with technology has a unique potential to support foundations for self-management behaviors and activities and (2) empowering self-management behaviors and attitudes through technology may result in better treatment outcomes, as evidenced by increased capabilities in the six core self-management skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Hall
- Master of Nursing Student, College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Schroder Sattar
- Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Regina, Canada
| | - Shahid Ahmed
- Professor, Division of Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Kristen R Haase
- Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
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24
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Wilding C, Davis H, Rasekaba T, Hamiduzzaman M, Royals K, Greenhill J, O’Connell ME, Perkins D, Bauer M, Morgan D, Blackberry I. Volunteers' Support of Carers of Rural People Living with Dementia to Use a Custom-Built Application. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18189909. [PMID: 34574832 PMCID: PMC8472467 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
There is great potential for human-centred technologies to enhance wellbeing for people living with dementia and their carers. The Virtual Dementia Friendly Rural Communities (Verily Connect) project aimed to increase access to information, support, and connection for carers of rural people living with dementia, via a co-designed, integrated website/mobile application (app) and Zoom videoconferencing. Volunteers were recruited and trained to assist the carers to use the Verily Connect app and videoconferencing. The overall research design was a stepped wedge open cohort randomized cluster trial involving 12 rural communities, spanning three states of Australia, with three types of participants: carers of people living with dementia, volunteers, and health/aged services staff. Data collected from volunteers (n = 39) included eight interviews and five focus groups with volunteers, and 75 process memos written by research team members. The data were analyzed using a descriptive evaluation framework and building themes through open coding, inductive reasoning, and code categorization. The volunteers reported that the Verily Connect app was easy to use and they felt they derived benefit from volunteering. The volunteers had less volunteering work than they desired due to low numbers of carer participants; they reported that older rural carers were partly reluctant to join the trial because they eschewed using online technologies, which was the reason for involving volunteers from each local community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Wilding
- John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing Research, La Trobe University, Wodonga 3689, Australia; (C.W.); (T.R.); (K.R.)
| | - Hilary Davis
- Centre for Social Impact, Swinburne University, Melbourne 3122, Australia;
| | - Tshepo Rasekaba
- John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing Research, La Trobe University, Wodonga 3689, Australia; (C.W.); (T.R.); (K.R.)
| | | | - Kayla Royals
- John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing Research, La Trobe University, Wodonga 3689, Australia; (C.W.); (T.R.); (K.R.)
| | - Jennene Greenhill
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Renmark 5341, Australia;
| | - Megan E. O’Connell
- Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E4, Canada;
| | - David Perkins
- Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, The University of Newcastle, Orange 2800, Australia;
| | - Michael Bauer
- Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3083, Australia;
| | - Debra Morgan
- Department of Medicine, Canadian Centre for Health & Safety in Agriculture, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 2Z4, Canada;
| | - Irene Blackberry
- John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing Research, La Trobe University, Wodonga 3689, Australia; (C.W.); (T.R.); (K.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-2-6024-9613
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