Rebooting Instrumental Activities of Daily Living for the 21st Century

The Role of Digital Technologies in Facilitating Psychosocial Resilience to Sudden Social Isolation Among Older Adults: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study investigated how older adults adopted new technologies in response to sudden social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and how this adoption was related to their long-term psychosocial well-being. The study involved a 6-month longitudinal survey of 151 older adults and two phone-based focus groups, which informed a semi-structured interview guide and purposive sampling of diverse community-dwelling older adults. We then conducted twenty qualitative interviews and thematic analysis and mapped themes to 6-month quantitative trajectories of psychosocial health. Three themes emerged: first, most participants adopted multiple technologies to maintain social connection and psychosocial well-being. Second, participants felt left behind by certain technologies due to complicated systems or ageist societal norms. Third, pandemic-related community resources promoted technology independence among isolated older adults and those wanting to avoid "burdening" family. Results challenge ageist stereotypes and provide a framework for encouraging access and comfort with multiple technologies to adapt to sudden health crises or disruptive events.

Test-Retest Reliability of the Electronic Instrumental activities of daily living Satisfaction Assessment (EISA): A Cohort Study

IMPORTANCE

Currently, no self-report instruments exist for assessing satisfaction with performing instrumental activities of daily living and occupations for people with disabilities using internet-connected assistive devices like accessible smartphones, tablets, laptops, and apps.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the Electronic Instrumental activities of daily living Satisfaction Assessment (EISA) self-report outcome tool.

DESIGN

Repeated-measures cohort study with a time frame of 7 to 21 days.

SETTING

Multicity online recruitment at assistive technology clinics, nongovernmental organizations, advocacy and peer support groups for people with disabilities, and higher education institutions.

PARTICIPANTS

Eighty-four participants with disabilities, age 18 yr or older, with a mean age of 43.3 yr (range = 19-75 yr), and 57% female.

INTERVENTION

Not applicable.

OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The a priori study hypotheses were that the EISA test-retest reliability scores would be above the minimum acceptable level (Rs > .80) and that internal consistency would be good (Cronbach's α = .70-.90).

RESULTS

On the basis of the study data, the EISA, Version 1.0, demonstrated good test-retest reliability (Rs = .81) and excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .88).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The results of the test-retest reliability and internal consistency analyses provide good support for the EISA to be used in clinical settings. What This Article Adds: This article documents the reliability and internal consistency of, to our knowledge, the first-ever self-report instrument for assessing satisfaction with performance of everyday occupations for people with disabilities using internet-connected assistive devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and apps.