Online activities among elder informal caregivers: Results from a cross-sectional study

Impact of community-based technology training with low-income older adults

OBJECTIVES

Compared with younger and middle-aged adults, older adults are less likely to adopt new computer technology, potentially limiting access to healthcare and many other important resources available online. This limitation could impact cognitive abilities, well-being, and mental health outcomes of older adults. The aims of the present study were to increase access to online county and healthcare resources, while also assessing the impact of technology access on cognitive functioning and multiple well-being domains.

METHODS

A pilot community collaboration provided a two-month tablet training intervention, focused on increasing digital independence via tablet navigation, resources access, and fraud and scam prevention, to 20 low-income older adult participants (75% female, Mage = 70.85). Pre- and post-test phone interviews were conducted to measure any changes in digital independence, cognitive abilities, well-being, mental health, and mindset.

RESULTS

Linear mixed effects models revealed no significant changes in outcome measures from pre- to post-test. However, we found effects of digital independence on several well-being measures, providing important information for the impact of technology access and training for low-income older adults.

CONCLUSION

This pilot intervention offers limited but promising results, inspiring further investigations that may inform public health and policy services to address barriers to access and potentially improve psychological health.

Internet use by informal caregivers in Chile: An analysis including age and gender perspectives

OBJECTIVES

This study explored the relationship between Internet use and informal caregivers' characteristics.

METHODS

We used the Chilean Sociodemographic Characterization Survey. A total of 86,172 informal caregivers were identified. We conducted a weighted χ2 to test differences in 10 types of Internet use and weighted logistic regressions with caregivers' characteristics as predictors of Internet use.

RESULTS

Younger caregivers engaged in more types of use than the older ones. Education level was positively associated with all types of use, such as searching for information (OR = 3.52, CI 95% [2.34, 5.29]). Age was negatively related to Internet use. Women used the Internet more to communicate via social networks. Being single reduced the likelihood of performing certain types of use, such as information seeking. The number of people living in households has increased entertainment.

CONCLUSIONS

Older caregivers with lower education levels are at greater risk of digital exclusion. The same occurred in some types of use with single caregivers, where fewer people lived in the household.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The Internet can be a tool for coping with caregiving tasks and their negative consequences. Interventions should consider these characteristics when promoting online tools and performing online interventions to reach the broadest possible audience.

Lifestyle support preferences of patients with cardiovascular diseases: What lifestyle support might work best for whom?

Background

Lifestyle support is essential in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and eHealth may be an easy and affordable solution to provide this support. However, CVD patients vary in their ability and interest to use eHealth. This study investigates demographic characteristics determining CVD patients' online and offline lifestyle support preferences.

Methods

We used a cross-sectional study design. 659 CVD patients (Harteraad panel) completed our questionnaire. We assessed demographic characteristics and preferred lifestyle support type (coach, eHealth, family/friends, self-supportive).

Results

Respondents mostly preferred being self-supportive (n = 179, 27.2%), and a coach in a group or individually (n = 145, 22.0%; n = 139, 21.1%). An app/internet to work independently (n = 89, 13.5%) or being in touch with other CVD patients (n = 44, 6.7%) was least preferred. Men were more likely to prefer being supported by family/friends (p = .016) or self-supportive (p < .001), while women preferred a coach individually or via an app/internet (p < .001). Older patients mostly preferred self-support (p = .001). Patients with low social support were more likely to prefer being coached individually (p < .001), but not support from family/friends (p = .002).

Conclusion

Men and older patients are more interested in being self-supportive, and patients with lower levels of social support could need extra support outside their social network. eHealth could provide a solution, but attention should be paid to spike interest for digital interventions among certain groups.