scholarly journals Older Adult User Feedback on Design and Functionality of EngAGE, a Voice-Activated Exercise Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 267-267
Author(s):  
Yadira Montoya ◽  
Saira Shervani ◽  
Chelsea Smith ◽  
Louise Hawkley ◽  
Megan Huisingh-Scheetz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Real World ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
User Feedback ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Socially Motivated ◽  
Supporting Materials ◽  
Adult Caregiver

Abstract The EngAGE Alexa app is a socially motivated exercise program targeting older adult-caregiver dyads to promote mobility independence. EngAGE provides exercise routines that older adults can perform in the home in conjunction with a messaging component to facilitate motivation from caregivers and a tracking component to monitor progress. This presentation will describe the qualitative results that have informed the app’s design and evaluation of its feasibility and functionality following a 14-week feasibility study in 10 dyads of older adult exercisers and their caregivers. The presentation will cover the perceived benefits of EngAGE’s older adult users (including “real world” clinically relevant improvements, the comprehensiveness of the exercises, and exercise knowledge gained), as well as likes and dislikes that contributed to our assessment of the app’s functionality. Finally, we will discuss how the feedback contributes to future directions in the development of the app’s features, supporting materials, design and content.

scholarly journals Empathic Accuracy: Worse Recognition by Older Adults and Less Transparency in Older Adult Expressions Compared With Young Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (8) ◽  
pp. 1658-1667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ted Ruffman ◽  
Jamin Halberstadt ◽  
Janice Murray ◽  
Fiona Jack ◽  
Tina Vater
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Emotion Recognition ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Social Adjustment ◽  
Real World ◽  
Emotional Experience ◽  
Empathic Accuracy ◽  
Emotional States

Abstract Objectives We examined empathic accuracy, comparing young versus older perceivers, and young versus older emoters. Empathic accuracy is related to but distinct from emotion recognition because perceiver judgments of emotion are based, not on what an emoter looks to be feeling, but on what an emoter says s/he is actually feeling. Method Young (≤30 years) and older (≥60 years) adults (“emoters”) were unobtrusively videotaped while watching movie clips designed to elicit specific emotional states. The emoter videos were then presented to young and older “perceivers,” who were instructed to infer what the emoters were feeling. Results As predicted, older perceivers’ empathic accuracy was less accurate relative to young perceivers. In addition, the emotions of young emoters were considerably easier to read than those of older emoters. There was also some evidence of an own-age advantage in emotion recognition in that older adults had particular difficulty assessing emotion in young faces. Discussion These findings have important implications for real-world social adjustment, with older adults experiencing a combination of less emotional transparency and worse understanding of emotional experience.

Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma in the Older Adult

2010 ◽  
Vol 06 ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Arlene A Gayle ◽  
Noelle K LoConte ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Clinical Research ◽  
Effective Treatment ◽  
Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Medical Conditions ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Large Numbers

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is common among older adults, who may be more frail or have comorbid medical conditions that make treatment more challenging. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a lethal malignancy with relatively few effective treatment options. To date, most clinical research has not enrolled large numbers of older adults, despite this being the demographic predominantly affected by this illness. In this article, etiology and treatments for pancreatic adenocarcinoma are reviewed with a particular emphasis on studies that have examined matters relating to treating older adults; future directions for research are also explored.

scholarly journals Use of an Internet-of-Things Smart Home System for Healthy Aging in Older Adults in Residential Settings: Pilot Feasibility Study

JMIR Aging ◽  
10.2196/21964 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. e21964
Author(s):  
Yong K Choi ◽  
Hilaire J Thompson ◽  
George Demiris
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Internet Of Things ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Real World ◽  
Smart Home ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Residential Settings ◽  
Iot Devices

Background The Internet-of-Things (IoT) technologies can create smart residences that integrate technology within the home to enhance residents’ safety as well as monitor their health and wellness. However, there has been little research on real-world testing of IoT smart home devices with older adults, and the feasibility and acceptance of such tools have not been systematically examined. Objective This study aims to conduct a pilot study to investigate the feasibility of using IoT smart home devices in the actual residences of older adults to facilitate healthy aging. Methods We conducted a 2-month feasibility study on community-dwelling older adults. Participants chose among different IoT devices to be installed and deployed within their homes. The IoT devices tested varied depending on the participant’s preference: a door and window sensor, a multipurpose sensor (motion, temperature, luminosity, and humidity), a voice-operated smart speaker, and an internet protocol (IP) video camera. Results We recruited a total of 37 older adults for this study, with 35 (95%) successfully completing all procedures in the 2-month study. The average age of the sample was 78 (SD 9) years and primarily comprised women (29/37, 78%), those who were educated (31/37, 86%; bachelor’s degree or higher), and those affected by chronic conditions (33/37, 89%). The most widely chosen devices among the participants were multipurpose sensors and smart speakers. An IP camera was a significantly unpopular choice among participants in both phases. The participant feedback suggests that perceived privacy concerns, perceived usefulness, and curiosity to technology were strong factors when considering which device to have installed in their home. Conclusions Overall, our deployment results revealed that the use of IoT smart home devices is feasible in actual residences of older adults. These findings may inform the follow-up assessment of IoT technologies and their impact on health-related outcomes and advance our understanding of the role of IoT home-based monitoring technologies to promote successful aging-in-place for older adults. Future trials should consider older adults’ preferences for the different types of smart home devices to be installed in real-world residential settings.

scholarly journals Demonstrating a Technology-Mediated Intervention to Support Medication Adherence in Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Primary Care: A Feasibility Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 233372141984517
Author(s):  
Henry Yu-Hin Siu ◽  
Bethany Delleman ◽  
Jessica Langevin ◽  
Dee Mangin ◽  
Michelle Howard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
Medication Administration ◽  
Recruitment Rate ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Adherence Rate

Background: Medication non-adherence can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. This 4-week feasibility study aims to demonstrate that the eDosette intervention can be implemented with older adults in primary care. Method: Fifty-six older adults from four primary care sites in Southwestern Ontario, Canada participated. The intervention involved generating, for pharmacist review, weekly medication administration records based on transmitted data captured by the eDosette. The primary outcome is implementation feasibility defined by recruitment, adherence rates, frequency of captured missed and late doses, descriptions of clinical work resulting from the intervention, and participant feedback. Results: The recruitment rate was 24% (57/240); one withdrew due to personal reasons. The mean observed adherence rate was 82% (range 49%-100%). Overall, participants missed 505 and took 2,105 doses late; 118 clinical decisions occurred with 72 unique medication changes in 31 participants. Participants found the eDosette easy to use and did not feel that they were viewed negatively because of their potential non-adherence. Conclusion: The eDosette intervention could be feasibly implemented in primary care with older adults. Providing information about when an older adult takes their medications could play a role in medication adherence by prompting more informed discussions between the older adult and primary care clinicians.

scholarly journals Patient-Centered Digital Screener for Elder Abuse in the Emergency Department

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 152-152
Author(s):  
Fuad Abujarad ◽  
Esther Choo ◽  
James Dziura ◽  
Chelsea Edwards ◽  
Michael Pantalon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Screening Process

Abstract Elder abuse is a growing problem where many cases are left unidentified by professionals. For some older adults, the emergency department may be the sole point of care where they have an opportunity to be identified as victims of abuse. However, current methods of screening tend to miss less obvious forms of abuse and may deter older adults from self-reporting due to either a lack of understanding of abuse or fear of potential consequences. VOICES is an innovative, self-administrated, and automated tablet-based tool that combines screening, educational content, and brief motivational interviewing to enhance and improve identification of elder abuse cases. Combining an elder abuse screener and digital coach designed to guide the older adult through a customized pathway to encourage self-identification and self-reporting of abuse, VOICES is a robust tool engineered to place the screening process in the hands of the older adults, rather than the providers. We will discuss preliminary results of the ongoing feasibility study currently being conducted in the ED, which has successfully enrolled over 500 older adults. Current data indicate that 93% of patients find the tool to be satisfying, engaging, and easy to use. Preliminary findings also suggest that older adults who come in with “Little to none” knowledge of elder abuse increase knowledge of abuse after using the tool. In summary, VOICES appears to be a feasible tablet-based screening tool in the emergency department.

scholarly journals Design, Utilization, and Impact of Smart Voice Interventions in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 645-645
Author(s):  
Megan Huisingh-Scheetz ◽  
Louise Hawkley ◽  
Shelia Cotten
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Primary Input ◽  
Input Method ◽  
Design Considerations ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Socially Motivated

Abstract Smart voice (voice-first) devices such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home devices use speech as the primary input method and employ artificial intelligence to “act” on spoken commands. Smart voice devices are thought to reduce technology use barriers for older adults because older users can utilize a skill they already have (talking) rather than learning a new skill (typing). Therefore, smart voice may be a promising technology vehicle for delivering social and functional resources and for assessing health in the home of older adults and their caregivers. However, very little clinical research has been conducted to understand the unique design considerations, utilization, potential impact, and limitations of smart voice applications in older adults. This symposium will 1) describe research methods and results of user-driven design of smart voice materials and programming in older adults; 2) quantify the utilization and potential impact of “EngAGE,” a smart voice-based program delivering socially-motivated exercise, on functional outcomes and summarize perceived benefits and challenges to use among older adult and caregiver participants following a feasibility study; and 3) detail key findings and policy implications following pilots of “Community Hub,” a data collection voice application to detect social isolation, and “Social Check-in,” programs leveraging smart voice to aid in older adult socialization.

Champions of an Older Adult Exercise Program: Believers, Promoters, and Recruiters

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 728-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina E. Miyawaki ◽  
Basia Belza ◽  
Marlana J. Kohn ◽  
Miruna Petrescu-Prahova
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Group Exercise ◽  
Program Delivery ◽  
Vital Part ◽  
Successful Program ◽  
Program Adoption ◽  
Evidence Based Programs

Champions, who support, market, and promote programs, are a vital part of successful program adoption, implementation, and maintenance. Enhance®Fitness (EF) is an evidence-based, community-delivered group exercise program for older adults. Using semistructured phone interviews with 20 participants, 17 instructors, and 15 staff, we explored the roles of champions in adopting, implementing, and maintaining EF at YMCA-affiliated sites. Interviews revealed EF champions play critical roles in program dissemination. Champions are outgoing, passionate, and enthusiastic about EF. They believe in the program and its benefits (believers), are “walking advertisements” (promoters), and have magnetic personalities, persuading newcomers to join (recruiters). EF champions were not purposefully selected but naturally arose during the course of program delivery. Community sites adopting evidence-based programs can foster and support champions by engaging with them, and capitalizing on their energy as an emerging resource throughout the adoption, implementation, and maintenance of programs.

scholarly journals Use of an Internet-of-Things Smart Home System for Healthy Aging in Older Adults in Residential Settings: Pilot Feasibility Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong K Choi ◽  
Hilaire J Thompson ◽  
George Demiris
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Internet Of Things ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Real World ◽  
Smart Home ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Residential Settings ◽  
Iot Devices

BACKGROUND The Internet-of-Things (IoT) technologies can create <i>smart</i> residences that integrate technology within the home to enhance residents’ safety as well as monitor their health and wellness. However, there has been little research on real-world testing of IoT smart home devices with older adults, and the feasibility and acceptance of such tools have not been systematically examined. OBJECTIVE This study aims to conduct a pilot study to investigate the feasibility of using IoT smart home devices in the actual residences of older adults to facilitate healthy aging. METHODS We conducted a 2-month feasibility study on community-dwelling older adults. Participants chose among different IoT devices to be installed and deployed within their homes. The IoT devices tested varied depending on the participant’s preference: a door and window sensor, a multipurpose sensor (motion, temperature, luminosity, and humidity), a voice-operated smart speaker, and an internet protocol (IP) video camera. RESULTS We recruited a total of 37 older adults for this study, with 35 (95%) successfully completing all procedures in the 2-month study. The average age of the sample was 78 (SD 9) years and primarily comprised women (29/37, 78%), those who were educated (31/37, 86%; bachelor’s degree or higher), and those affected by chronic conditions (33/37, 89%). The most widely chosen devices among the participants were multipurpose sensors and smart speakers. An IP camera was a significantly unpopular choice among participants in both phases. The participant feedback suggests that perceived privacy concerns, perceived usefulness, and curiosity to technology were strong factors when considering which device to have installed in their home. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our deployment results revealed that the use of IoT smart home devices is feasible in actual residences of older adults. These findings may inform the follow-up assessment of IoT technologies and their impact on health-related outcomes and advance our understanding of the role of IoT home-based monitoring technologies to promote successful aging-in-place for older adults. Future trials should consider older adults’ preferences for the different types of smart home devices to be installed in real-world residential settings.

scholarly journals Home-Based Exercise Program With Telephone Coaching: A Feasibility Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 403-403
Author(s):  
Emma Gulley ◽  
Joe Verghese ◽  
Emmeline Ayers ◽  
Tanya Verghese ◽  
Anne Felicia Ambrose
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Telephone Coaching ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Exercise is crucial to maintain mobility, reduce falls and delay functional decline in older adults, but effective implementation strategies are lacking. Self-directed home-based exercise therapy is recommended by clinicians to overcome barriers such as cost, travel and availability. However, non-adherence is a major challenge due to lack of motivation, real time feedback or social support. To overcome these barriers, we conducted a feasibility study to evaluate a home-based exercise program with telephone coaching to improve mobility in frail older adults. Four non-demented, frail community-dwelling older adults were taught one of two exercise routines at our research center. The first involved complex exercises with internal and external cueing techniques that have been associated with neuroplasticity in previous studies (N=3). The second was a lesser cognitively demanding control program that included aerobic, balance and strengthening exercises (N=1). One week later, the participants were asked to repeat the exercises in their own home. The research assistant coached the patient over the telephone. A board-certified physiatrist was present during the home session to monitor adherence and fidelity to the protocol as well as address safety. The study produced qualitative findings regarding recruitment strategies, exercise feasibility, and other logistical issues relating to participant understanding, safety, and monitoring. Based on direct observation of participants at home, safety assessment protocols, instructions, and exercises were all refined. Building on this data, we plan to design a clinical trial to evaluate the impact of complex exercises designed to promote neuroplasticity and reduce cognitive and motoric decline in older adults.

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