The Virtualization of a Movement and Social Group-Activity Intervention for Older Adults and Their Caregivers

Abstract COVID-related safety concerns mandated suspension of our ongoing trial testing the effects of movement and social engagement in older adults with early-stage dementia and their caregivers (dyads). Participant vulnerability and the requirement for group social interaction complicated intervention resumption. We present results from a successful pilot to rapidly and iteratively optimize study interventions for remote delivery targeting intervention mediators (social connection, movement) based on participant feedback. Three-dyad groups (n=6 individuals) completed cycles of intervention via Zoom immediately followed by an interview with open-ended and quantitative feedback. Cycles were repeated until no new information was solicited, then repeated with new participants. Optimization revealed needs for technological support, more intensive movement, and social connection. Specifically, the inability to make eye contact, see others’ full body, and technology-associated timing asynchronies impeded social connection in the movement group. We will present practical tips for crafting remote group interventions for caregiver/person living with dementia dyads.

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Improvisational Movement to Improve Quality of Life in Older Adults With Early-Stage Dementia: A Pilot Study

Frontiers in Sports and Active Living ◽

10.3389/fspor.2021.796101 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

Author(s):

Deepthi Thumuluri ◽

Robert Lyday ◽

Phyllis Babcock ◽

Edward H. Ip ◽

Robert A. Kraft ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Older Adults ◽

Clinical Trial ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Social Engagement ◽

Early Stage ◽

Brain Network ◽

Dance Intervention

Alzheimer's disease has profound effects on quality of life, affecting not only cognition, but mobility and opportunities for social engagement. Dance is a form of movement that may be uniquely suited to help maintain quality of life for older adults, including those with dementia, because it inherently incorporates movement, social engagement, and cognitive stimulation. Here, we describe the methods and results of the pilot study for the IMOVE trial (NCT03333837, www.clinicaltrials.gov), a clinical trial designed to use improvisational dance classes to test the effects of movement and social engagement in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early-stage dementia. The pilot study was an 8-week investigation into the feasibility and potential effects of an improvisational dance intervention on people with MCI or early-stage dementia (PWD/MCI) and their caregivers (CG). The pilot aimed to assess changes in quality of life, balance, mood, and functional brain networks in PWD/MCI and their CG. Participants were recruited as dyads (pairs) that included one PWD/MCI and one CG. Ten total dyads were enrolled in the pilot study with five dyads assigned to the usual care control group and five dyads participating in the dance intervention. The intervention arm met twice weekly for 60 min for 8 weeks. Attendance and quality of life assessed with the Quality of Life in Alzheimer's disease (QoL-AD) questionnaire were the primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes included balance, mood and brain network connectivity assessed through graph theory analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Class attendance was 96% and qualitative feedback reflected participants felt socially connected to the group. Increases in quality of life and balance were observed, but not mood. Brain imaging analysis showed increases in multiple brain network characteristics, including global efficiency and modularity. Further investigation into the positive effects of this dance intervention on both imaging and non-imaging metrics will be carried out on the full clinical trial data. Results from the trial are expected in the summer of 2022.

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EXAMINING THE SOCIAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF AN INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAM FOR OLDER ADULTS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.551 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S153-S154

Author(s):

Skye N Leedahl ◽

Itza Serrano

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Rhode Island ◽

Social Engagement ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Digital Competence ◽

Technological Support ◽

Engagement Theory ◽

Digital Competency ◽

The University ◽

Intergenerational Programming

Abstract Intergenerational programs are increasingly being implemented across the country. Much of the research on these programs has shown beneficial outcomes for students related to reductions in aging stereotypes, but less in-depth research has been done examining older adult outcomes (see Andreoletti & Howard, 2016 for a review). Currently, faculty and students from the University of Rhode Island (URI) are implementing the Engaging Generations: Cyber-Seniors Program, which connects older adults with student mentors to provide technological support to older adults, help students build communication and teaching skills, and overall build positive intergenerational relations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of intergenerational programming participation for older adults (N=41) related to social isolation, loneliness, social engagement, and digital competency, measured using pre and post surveys given to participants. SPSS software was used to conduct descriptive analysis, t Tests, and one-way ANOVAs. Thematic analysis was used to analyze open-ended participant responses. Results showed significant improvements on items of the digital competency scale, particularly in relation to social media and for those who started with lower levels of digital competence, but not for other measures. Qualitative analysis showed that the older adults valued the technological knowledge gained, and the pleasant interactions and pedagogy. This study advances the engagement theory principle of problem-based learning. Much can be learned from both the significant and non-significant results to help inform intergenerational programming and technology support programs for older adults.

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Music Interventions for Early-Stage Cognitive Decline: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.2442 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 649-649

Author(s):

Jennie Dorris ◽

Stephen Neely ◽

Juleen Rodakowski

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Social Engagement ◽

Early Stage ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Well Being ◽

Potential Effect ◽

Effect Sizes ◽

Music Making ◽

The Moment

Abstract Older adults in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia deserve effective modalities that support their cognition, emotional well-being, and social engagement. Music has demonstrated potential to support these critical outcomes through its ability to simultaneously stimulate multiple areas of the brain and induce neuroplasticity. We reviewed randomized controlled trials for studies that specifically utilized active music-making interventions for older adults with early-stage cognitive decline to assess their effects on cognition, emotional well-being, and social engagement. Additionally, this review categorized the specific music activities employed by each intervention. We conducted searches on Medline (Ovid), APA PsycInfo (Ovid) CINAHL (Ebsco), and Embase (Elsevier). Our search yielded 285 potential studies. We analyzed 19 studies with 1,387 participants for potential effect sizes and intervention ingredients. Of the 19 studies, eight studies, recruiting a total of 460 participants, were used to conduct a random-effects meta-analysis to assess the effect of music on cognition. Meta-analytic aggregration of effect sizes showed that music had a modest positive effect on cognition compare with the control conditions (SMD= 0.26; P= 0.008; 95% confidence interval, 0.07, 0.45; I2= 5%). The musical activities of 1) singing and/or playing pre-composed songs and/or 2) creating music in the moment were utilized in the protocols. This research demonstrates that active music-making supports cognition for older adults with early-stage cognitive decline. Future music programs should consider inclusion of pre-composed songs, as well as music creation, to better understand the power for music to provide critical support for a rapidly growing segment of the population.

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Community Arts Programming Supports Personal Growth and Well-Being in Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.3085 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 841-842

Author(s):

Niyati Dhokai ◽

Jatin Ambegaonkar

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Personal Growth ◽

Social Engagement ◽

Well Being ◽

Dance Music ◽

Hearing Impairments ◽

The Arts ◽

New Information ◽

Survey Results

Abstract Our research study examined how taking part in the arts compared to control affects older adults’ health and well-being. 64 older adults took part in dance, music, or control workshops 2 times/week for 10 weeks. We examined participants’ psychological health, social engagement, and personal growth outcomes using mixed methods during pre- and post-workshop assessments. Focus group and arts survey results revealed that participants felt ownership of new skills learned and felt engaged. Participants, especially for those in arts workshops, described having increased self-perception of creative skills resulting in a sense of personal growth, which occurred despite mind/body challenges experienced during workshops including musculoskeletal challenges, hearing impairments, and challenges retaining new information. Our observations provide avenues for future researchers to create programming that empowers older adults, as well as to utilize the participants’ ongoing feedback to create participant-empowered adaptations that transcends mind/body limitations through accessible pedagogical methods.

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Perceived Voice Disorders in Older Adults and Impact on Social Interactions

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/2020_persp-20-00059 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Connie K. Porcaro ◽

Clare Singer ◽

Boris Djokic ◽

Ali A. Danesh ◽

Ruth Tappen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Interactions ◽

Social Engagement ◽

Leisure Activities ◽

Treatment Strategies ◽

Voice Disorders ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Vocal Performance ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Cross Sectional

Purpose Many aging individuals, even those who are healthy, report voice changes that can impact their ability to communicate as they once did. While this is commonly reported, most do not seek evaluation or management for this issue. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and differences in voice disorders in older adults, along with the effect of fatigue on their social interactions. Method This is a cross-sectional investigation of a community-dwelling sample of individuals aged 60 years or older. Participants completed the Questionnaire on Vocal Performance, the Social Engagement Index subset “Engagement in Social or Leisure Activities,” and the Fatigue Severity Scale. Results Results indicated 32.5% of the 332 participants reported symptoms of voice problems with no difference found between male and female respondents. A slight increase in report of voice problems was noted with each year of age. Participants who self-reported voice problems indicated less interaction in social activities involving communication than those who did not. Finally, as severity of self-reported voice problems increased, an increase was reported by the same individuals for signs of fatigue. Conclusions Voice problems and resulting decreased social interaction are commonly experienced by older individuals. Voice symptoms in older adults have been found to benefit from evidence-based treatment strategies. It is critical to provide education to encourage older individuals to seek appropriate evaluation and management for voice issues through a speech-language pathologist or medical professional.

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Brain Health: Attitudes towards Technology Adoption in Older Adults

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9010023 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 23

Author(s):

Nadir G. Abdelrahman ◽

Raza Haque ◽

Molly E. Polverento ◽

Andrea Wendling ◽

Courtney M. Goetz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Technology Adoption ◽

Physical Health ◽

Social Engagement ◽

Information Technologies ◽

New Technology ◽

Handheld Devices ◽

Brain Health ◽

Use Of Technology ◽

Health Related

(1) Background: There is increasing scholarly support for the notion that properly implemented and used, technology can be of substantial benefit for older adults. Use of technology has been associated with improved self-rating of health and fewer chronic conditions. Use of technology such as handheld devices by older adults has the potential to improve engagement and promote cognitive and physical health. However, although, literature suggests some willingness by older adults to use technology, simultaneously there are reports of a more cautious attitude to its adoption. Our objective was to determine the opinions towards information technologies, with special reference to brain health, in healthy older adults either fully retired or still working in some capacity including older adult workers and retired adults living in an independent elderly living community. We were especially interested in further our understanding of factors that may play a role in technology adoption and its relevance to addressing health related issues in this population; (2) Methods: Two focus groups were conducted in an inner-city community. Participants were older adults with an interest in their general health and prevention of cognitive decline. They were asked to discuss their perceptions of and preferences for the use of technology. Transcripts were coded for thematic analysis; (3) Results: Seven common themes emerged from the focus group interviews: physical health, cognitive health, social engagement, organizing information, desire to learn new technology, advancing technology, and privacy/security; and (4) Conclusions: This study suggests that in order to promote the use of technology in older adults, one needs to consider wider contextual issues, not only device design per se, but the older adult’s rationale for using technology and their socio-ecological context.

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Social Engagement and Episodic Memory in Non-Hispanic Black and White Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1101 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 343-343

Author(s):

Abbey Hamlin ◽

A Zarina Kraal ◽

Laura Zahodne

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Cognitive Aging ◽

Social Engagement ◽

Future Research ◽

Social Activities ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Significant Positive Association ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Social engagement may confer cognitive benefits in older adulthood, but studies have typically been restricted to largely non-Hispanic White (NHW) samples. Levels of social engagement vary across race such that NHW report larger social networks, more frequent participation in social activities, and greater social support than non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB). Associations between social engagement and cognition may also vary by race, but research is sparse. The current cross-sectional study examined associations between different aspects of social engagement and episodic memory performance, as well as interactions between social engagement and race among NHB and NHW participants in the Michigan Cognitive Aging Project (N = 247; 48.4% NHB; age = 64.19 ± 2.92). Social engagement (network size, activities, support) was self-reported. Episodic memory was a z-score composite of immediate, delayed, and recognition trials of a list-learning task. Separate hierarchical linear regression models quantified interactions between race and each of the three social engagement variables on episodic memory, controlling for sociodemographics, depressive symptoms, and health conditions. Results showed a main effect of more frequent social activity on better episodic memory, as well as an interaction between race and social support indicating a significant positive association in NHB but not NHW. These preliminary findings suggest that participating in social activities may be equally beneficial for episodic memory across NHB and NHW older adults and that social support may be particularly beneficial for NHB. Future research is needed to determine the potential applications of these results in reducing cognitive inequalities through the development of culturally-relevant interventions.

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Benefits and barriers: a qualitative study on online social participation among widowed older adults in Southwest China

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-021-02381-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yan Hong ◽

Jingjing Fu ◽

Dehui Kong ◽

Siqi Liu ◽

Zhu Zhong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Digital Media ◽

Social Participation ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Early Stage ◽

Economic Loss ◽

Original Data ◽

Southwestern China ◽

Digital World ◽

Barriers And Challenges

Abstract Background With the development of digital media, online activities are increasingly becoming part of the daily life of older adults. Widowed older adults generally would face changes in social interactions and activities due to widowhood; thus, the importance of online participation may be more prominent in this population. However, a detailed evidence on the experiences of online social participation among widowed older adults is relatively sparse. This study aimed to explore widowed older adults’ perceptions regarding online social participation in southwestern China. Methods This study adopted a qualitative approach. Semi-structured, in-depth individual interviews were conducted with 19 widowed older adults between September–December 2020. Thematic analysis was applied to analyse the data. Results Two major themes, “benefits” and “barriers” were identified from the original data analysis. Subcategories concerning the theme “benefits” were “benefit perception (convenience, flexible time, supplementation)”, “health promotion”, “emotional comfort”, and “social connection”. Subcategories of “barriers” were “worries: personal economic loss”, “concerns: security of digital device”, “troubles: the diversity of online social participation”, and “difficulties: using digital media”. Conclusions Social participation of widowed older adults in southwestern China has begun to be integrated into the digital world; however, it remains at an early stage with the simple purpose of engagement. The older adults may face many challenges for online social participation. Although there are barriers and challenges in online social participation, widowed older adults can reap its benefits, which can be used as an important measure to facilitate a fulfilling life and successful ageing. There is no doubt that online social participation will become a trend within the foreseeable future. Family, friends and health care professionals should pay more attention to the needs of online social participation in widowed older adults and provide adequate support for them to achieve a meaningful life.

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Insights from an early stage development mixed methods study on arts-based interventions for older adults following hospitalisation

Complementary Therapies in Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102745 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 102745

Author(s):

Amanda M. Clifford ◽

Joanne Shanahan ◽

Hilary Moss ◽

Triona Cleary ◽

Morgan Senter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Early Stage ◽

Mixed Methods Study ◽

Stage Development

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Starting an Older Adult Lecture for First Semester Nursing Students With a Truth or Myth Game

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.047 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 14-14

Author(s):

Lynn Brown ◽

Pao-feng Tsai

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Health Care ◽

Nursing Students ◽

Older Adult ◽

Care Needs ◽

Final Exam ◽

Negative Stereotypes ◽

First Semester ◽

Positive Attitudes ◽

New Information

Abstract False ideas about the physical and psychosocial characteristics of older adults exist in America. It is especially important that nurses are not susceptible to myths and stereotypes as these myths can affect the quality of patient care. For example, some people stereotype older adults as forgetful, disabled, ill, and unable to understand new information. Misconceptions and negative stereotypes are also present in first year nursing students. It is vital that students assess their own attitudes about older adults to form positive attitudes and gain knowledge about aging and health care needs. To achieve this goal, the older adult lecture in a first semester theory and fundamental course begins with a PowerPoint slide presentation asking students to distinguish truths and myths. The truth or myth topics include a) developmental tasks; b) common physiological changes; c) a comparison of delirium, dementia, and depression; and d) addressing health concerns of older adults. Active discussion follows the activity. Seventy to ninety percent of students correctly answered nine of ten questions related to older adult content on the final exam. Considering the increasing number of older adults in the health care setting, nurse educators must dismantle negative stereotypes with creative teaching strategies.

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