Accounting for diversity in older adults’ digital inclusion and literacy: the impact of a national intervention

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Anthony McCosker ◽  
Christine Critchley ◽  
Jarrod Walshe ◽  
Julie Tucker ◽  
Roksolana Suchowerska
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Digital Inclusion ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Digital Skills ◽  
Programme Outcomes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Time Point

Abstract In many parts of the world, older adults continue to face significant barriers to digital inclusion, but the source of that inequality is not well understood. However, we do not know enough about differences among older people seeking to improve their digital skills. Examining the impact of a national three-year digital inclusion programme reaching more than 580,000 older adults in Australia, this study explores factors that affect digital skills and literacy later in life. A mixed-methods approach involving a two time-point survey (N = 337) along with participant interviews (N = 30) examined the effectiveness of programme elements. A latent class analysis was applied to examine differences in the way older adults engage with digital technologies. Qualitative analysis helped to detail those differences. Programme outcomes were far from uniform, reflecting diverse motivations, lifecourse experiences, needs and capabilities among older adults, countering much existing research that tends to elide those differences. With reference to the concept of situated literacies, we highlight the importance of life experiences, needs and motivations to the outcomes of digital inclusion interventions. Our findings emphasise the need to disaggregate older adult internet users, and account for differences in life experiences, needs and motivations in the design and delivery of digital inclusion interventions at scale.

The association between Internet use and health outcomes in the population of older adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Szulc ◽  
M Duplaga
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The Internet has become one of the primary sources of health-related information. Less is known about the impact of Internet access and use on health-related outcomes in the older population, which frequently suffer from a digital divide. The main objective of this study was the assessment of the associations between Internet use and variables reflecting health status, the use of health services and health behaviours in the population at least 50 years old. Methods The analysis was carried out on the data set from the telephone-based survey in a sample of 1000 respondents representative for targeted age strata of Polish society. The effects of Internet use were assessed with logistic regression models after adjusting for key socioeconomic variables. Results Mean age (standard deviation) of respondents was 64.2 (9.6). In the study group, 51.1% respondents were Internet users, 19.4% - persons with disabilities, 21.2% were hospitalised at least once, and 51.0% visited health care facilities at least six times in preceding 12 months. The respondents being Internet users less frequently reported chronic diseases (OR, 95%CI: 0.21, 0.16-0.30), disability status (0.52, 0.37-0.72) and higher self-assessed health status (1.64, 1.24-2.16). They also less often used health services in the preceding 12 months (0.77, 0.60-0.99. Internet use was not associated with hospital admission in the preceding year (1.04, 0.76-1.41) and most of the health behaviours (smoking: 1.06, 0.77-1.45, physical activity: 0.85, 0.63-1.15, the consumption of fruits and vegetables: 0.73, 0.50-1.07). Interestingly, Internet users drunk more alcohol (1.52, 1.14-2.02). Conclusions In the population of older adults, the use of the Internet is associated with variables reflecting health status and the utilisation of health services. Higher health status and lower prevalence of chronic conditions among Internet users were found after adjusting for age and other socioeconomic factors. Key messages It was shown that Internet use may be related with more favourable health outcomes. The reported association should trigger further research on the impact of Internet in elderly persons.

scholarly journals AN ELDERLY’S PERSPECTIVE ON THE IMPACT OF SPIRITUALITY TOWARDS DEATH ACCEPTANCE

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 212-217
Author(s):  
Minnie Besin Mamauag
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Spiritual Beliefs ◽  
Sense Of Security ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Old Adult ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Death Acceptance

Objective: This study explored the religious or spiritual beliefs and behaviors of the elderly that could somehow translate to their level of death acceptance or lack thereof.Methods: A total of four (4) elderly participants, ages 60 and above whom meet the criteria set for this study was interviewed to assess their spiritual upbringing and experiences that resulted to their death acceptance. The study involves qualitative approach using thematic analysis. The narrative testimony of the old adult participants in this study which includes cases of older adult that believes in God, older adult having shifted from one religious organization to another, and older adults’ instilled spirituality comes from religious imprint from family members during childhood describes the three important patterns in the religious or spiritual standing of the participants.Results: The themes signified that (1) older adults are inherently religious and this nature is a subsequent factor in (2) their faith in God basing on their life experiences and life’s meaning. Furthermore, this (3) belief or faith in God offers them a sense of security and hope in the afterlife.Conclusion: These themes explain the pattern in the creation of a religious/ spiritual standing that leads to death acceptance among participants as evident in their interview results.

scholarly journals REPORTED WEIGHT CHANGE IN OLDER ADULTS AND PRESENCE OF FRAILTY

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
R.S. Crow ◽  
C.L. Petersen ◽  
S.B. Cook ◽  
C.J. Stevens ◽  
A.J. Titus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Weight Change ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Current Weight ◽  
Time Point

Objective: A 5% change in weight is a significant predictor for frailty and obesity. We ascertained how self-reported weight change over the lifespan impacts rates of frailty in older adults. Methods: We identified 4,984 subjects ≥60 years with body composition measures from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. An adapted version of Fried’s frailty criteria was used as the primary outcome. Self-reported weight was assessed at time current,1 and 10 years earlier and at age 25. Weight changes between each time point were categorized as ≥ 5%, ≤5% or neutral. Logistic regression assessed the impact of weight change on the outcome of frailty. Results: Among 4,984 participants, 56.5% were female, mean age was 71.1 years, and mean BMI was 28.2kg/m2. A weight loss of ≥ 5% had a higher association with frailty compared to current weight, age 25 (OR 2.94 [1.72,5.02]), 10 years ago (OR 1.68 [1.05,2.69]), and 1 year ago (OR 1.55 [1.02,2.36]). Weight gain in the last year was associated with increased rate of frailty (1.59 [1.09,2.32]). Conclusion: There is an association between frailty and reported weight loss over time while only weight gain in the last year has an association with frailty.

scholarly journals Stress Is a Latent Construct: Exploring the Differential Experience of Stress Among Black Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 190-190
Author(s):  
Catherine Garcia ◽  
Alexis Reeves ◽  
John Pamplin ◽  
Uchechi Mitchell ◽  
Lauren Brown
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Chronic Stress ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Stress Exposure ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
Stress Burden ◽  
And Coping ◽  
The Impact

Abstract While evidence highlights the detrimental health consequences of stress exposure for Black Americans, the impact of stress exposure on health varies by the stressor, individual appraisal and coping mechanisms examined. In this study, we aim to explore the differential effects of chronic stress exposure by means of latent class analysis on mental and physical health. Data come from 800 Black older adults ages 52+ from the 2006 Health and Retirement Study. A set of items that include stress exposure, appraisal and coping were used to assess chronic stress burden on anxiety, depressive symptoms and chronic conditions to identify stress and health clusters. Analysis revealed four subgroups, each demonstrated a typological response pattern with the most pronounced health consequences for high stress exposure, appraisal and few or no coping mechanisms. Results show an alternative approach to examining the stress-health link by using a combined person- and variable-centered approach.

scholarly journals The impact of poor oral health on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in older adults: the oral health status through a latent class analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyzbeth Beatriz Ortíz-Barrios ◽  
Víctor Granados-García ◽  
Pablo Cruz-Hervert ◽  
Karla Moreno-Tamayo ◽  
Erika Heredia-Ponce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Oral Health Status ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact

Activity Patterns Associated With Health Status in Later Life Among Singaporeans

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Song-Iee Hong ◽  
Srinivasan Chokkanathan ◽  
Philip A. Rozario
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Social Leisure ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Impact

Research on activities overlooks the possibility that older adults engage in different activities contemporaneously. To address this gap, we used latent class analyses to identify activity patterns and then examined demographic and health correlates of these patterns among a nationally representative sample of older adults in Singapore. We identified four classes of activities: the family-focused instrumental activity (FIA) class, the social leisure activity (SLA) class, the multidynamic activity (MDA) class, and the passive activity (PA) class. Furthermore, the MDA members showed higher scores in their mental health. Worse physical functioning and higher depression scores also increased the likelihood of being in the FIA and PA groups. Significant demographics such as gender, ethnicity, marital status, education, employment, house type, and income were related to heterogeneity in older adults’ activity patterns. Service providers might consider the impact of certain significant demographic and health-related correlates when planning programs to ensure greater reach and access.

The Impact of Consolidating AAA on the Delivery of HCBS: Evidence From Iowa

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 751-759
Author(s):  
Kanika Arora ◽  
Sato Ashida ◽  
Erin M. Mobley ◽  
G. Joseph Sample
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Detectable Effect ◽  
American Population ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Average Proportion ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Community Based Services ◽  
Qualitative Analyses

In this study, the authors evaluate the 2013 consolidation of Iowa’s Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) on the delivery of home and community-based services (HCBS) to older adults in the state. A mixed-methods approach combined a quasi-experimental design using longitudinal service delivery data with qualitative analyses of surveys and interviews with AAA staff and clients. Overall, consolidation had no detectable effect on the proportion of older adults served by the AAAs. Subgroup analysis showed that consolidation increased the average proportion of older adults served in nonmetropolitan counties and the proportion served through congregate meals. AAA staff and clients described both positive and negative aspects of consolidation: better collaboration across agencies, improved consistency in services, significant challenges with completing consolidation processes, and serving expanded geographic areas. As the American population ages and budgetary allocations tighten, findings from this evaluation can inform other states considering similar restructuring efforts.

scholarly journals Mood and Personality Characteristics are Associated with Metamemory Knowledge Accuracy in a Community-Based Cohort of Older Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 498-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leigh E. Colvin ◽  
Matteo Malgaroli ◽  
Silvia Chapman ◽  
Anna MacKay-Brandt ◽  
Stephanie Cosentino
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Psychological Variables ◽  
Class 1 ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Learning Test ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectives:Emerging work reveals the neuroanatomic changes that compromise metacognition; however, little is known about the impact of premorbid factors. Research suggests that psychological variables influence the perception of cognition, but whether they influence the accuracy of those perceptions (i.e., metacognition) has not been directly examined.Participants and Methods:Using Latent Class Analysis (LCA), we tested for discrete personality (NEOFFI) and mood (STAI, BDI-II, and GDS) classes among a community-based cohort of 151 older adults, enrolled in the NKI-Rockland study. Metamemory was calculated by comparing subjective memory ratings (modified Cognitive Failures Questionnaire) to objective memory (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test) to determine the degree to which individuals were overconfident, underconfident, or accurate in their self-assessment. A generalized linear model was used to examine whether metamemory differed across the emergent classes. A one samplettest was used to determine whether the metamemory scores of the emergent classes were statistically significantly different from zero, that is, over or under confident.Results:Two discrete classes emerged in the LCA: Class 1 was characterized predominantly by high extraversion and conscientiousness and low neuroticism and anxiety; Class 2 was characterized predominantly by low extraversion and conscientiousness and high neuroticism and anxiety. Metamemory differed significantly as a function of Class Membership (F(4,151)=5.42;p<.001), with Class 1 demonstrating accurate metamemory (M=0.21;SD=1.31) and Class 2 demonstrating under-confidence (M=−0.59;SD=1.39) in their memory.Conclusions:The significant association between psychological factors and metamemory knowledge accuracy suggests that such characteristics may be important to consider in the conceptualization, assessment, and treatment of metacognitive disturbances. (JINS, 2018,24, 498–510)

scholarly journals Impact of Radiotherapy on Daily Function Among Older Adults Living with Advanced Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 888-888
Author(s):  
Anthony Nehlsen ◽  
Parul Agarwal ◽  
Madhu Mazumdar ◽  
Kavita Dharmarajan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Latent Transition Analysis ◽  
Daily Functioning ◽  
Transition Analysis ◽  
Geriatric Conditions ◽  
Advanced Malignancies ◽  
Daily Function ◽  
Time Point

Abstract Radiation therapy (RT) improves quality of life and symptomatic burden for patients with advanced malignancies. However, RT can also confer toxicity and little is known about the contribution of geriatric conditions to RT-related outcomes in older adults. This study aims to examine changes in daily function among RT patients at 1 and 6 months following RT. We reviewed charts of 137 patients who underwent RT with intent to improve daily functioning. ADL and IADL scores ranging from 0-6 and 0-8, respectively were collected at baseline, 1-, and 6-months post-RT. Latent class analysis of baseline ADL and IADL was conducted to categorize patients into two classes (high and low deficit). Latent transition analysis was used to examine transitions at each time point. One-hundred seventy courses of RT were identified; 99 were fully evaluable. Median age was 66 years. For ADL and IADL, at baseline 28.9% and 28.3% were classified as high deficit and 71.1%, 71.3% as low deficit respectively; 2% and 7% of low deficit patients had the potential to move to high deficit group at 1 month; and 20% and 13% had the potential to have the same movement from 1 to 6 months. All patients classified as high deficit for both measures at 1 month remained so at 6 months. ADL and IADL functioning may be useful in describing changes in daily function after and identifying groups of patients who may benefit from additional supportive geriatric and/or palliative care interventions.

scholarly journals INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTERNET USE AND PERCEIVED LONELINESS AMONG OLDER CHINESE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S413-S413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shijie Song ◽  
Shijie Song ◽  
Yuxiang (Chris) Zhao ◽  
Qinghua Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dummy Variable ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Older Chinese ◽  
Age Range ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract There is a long debate on the impact of Internet use on individuals’ perceived loneliness. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between older Chinese people’s Internet use and their perceived loneliness. We employed cross-sectional data from the 2015 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (N = 7,343; age range: 50-80 years old; Mean = 62.48; SD=8.00). Loneliness was measured by a 4-point Likert scale (Mean = 1.60, SD = 1.05) on the frequency of loneliness perception (higher score indicates higher loneliness). Internet use was measured by a dummy variable (Mean = 0.05, SD = 0.23). The results of multiple regression suggest that older Internet users reported significantly lower loneliness (B = -0.127, SD = 0.045, p = 0.005) compared with non-Internet users, suggesting a mitigating effect of Internet use on loneliness. Thus, the Internet might be implemented as an intervention to reduce loneliness among older adults in China.

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