scholarly journals Technology Use, Comfort, and Interest: A comparison between caregiver and older adult populations

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 662-663
Author(s):  
Sarah Hubner ◽  
Akankshya Chataut ◽  
Marcia Shade ◽  
Ann Fruhling ◽  
Natalie Manley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Personal Autonomy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Barriers To Technology Use ◽  
Barriers To Technology

Abstract Remaining community-dwelling is a goal for most aging adults; however, this may necessitate assistance from caregivers. To reduce burden and improve adult autonomy, recent technological advancements have provided various supports. These advancements may improve quality of life (QOL) while also enhancing psychological/physical well-being for adults and caregivers. To investigate relationships between technology, QOL, and caregiver burden, needs assessments with focus groups were utilized. Four older adult focus groups (N=20) and three caregiver focus groups (N=12) were convened. Older adult participants, aged 64-83 years (M=73.1,SD=5.3), were 50% female and generally white (90%). Caregiver participants, aged 31-78 years (M=61.9,SD=12.6), were majority female (83%) and generally white (92%). Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, focus groups were conducted via Zoom video-conferencing. Thematic analyses revealed major themes of privacy, transportation, and interest in streamlined technologies. Throughout groups, privacy was consistently described; participants were either 1) apathetic, noting absence of privacy or 2) hyper-vigilant about security, citing privacy as a major barrier to utilization. Transportation, specifically self-driving/enhanced vehicles, emerged as a focus for future technologies as a means to reduce care burden and improve personal autonomy/QOL. In general, participants noted that major barriers to technology use included complexity and cost; persons expressed interest in simpler/cheaper devices. This study indicates varied interest in technology while exposing barriers to use. Additionally, the methodology demonstrates the utility of technology (e.g., Zoom) in accessing vulnerable and/or isolated populations. Overall, understanding barriers to technology use and adoption informs upcoming developments and may improve accessibility and usefulness in future systems/devices.

scholarly journals Older Adults’ Subjective Well-being Following an Exergame Intervention “Bandit the Dolphin”: Focus Group Findings

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 169-170
Author(s):  
Brittany Drazich ◽  
Breanna Crane ◽  
Kyle Moored ◽  
Karl Shieh ◽  
Janiece Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Mental Illness Stigma ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Adult Participants

Abstract Due to generational mental illness stigma and under diagnosis of mental illness, older adults do not always receive the mental health help that they need. One unique technology that has the potential to improve mood in older adults is exergames, or exercise video games. The objective of this sub-study (main study: Stimulation With Intricate Movements “SWIM” Study) was to explore older adults’ mood following an exergame intervention called “Bandit the Dolphin,” created by the Johns Hopkins KATA Studio. Researchers conducted three focus groups with 14 community-dwelling older adult participants who took part in the SWIM Study exergame intervention. The semi-structured focus groups were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using deductive and inductive techniques described by Ray Maietta’s “sort and sift, think and shift” method. Three themes related to playing “Bandit the Dolphin” and mood emerged. First, participants described their perceived association between activity and mood. Participants felt that both active and passive activities, “Bandit the Dolphin” and otherwise, improved their mood through the “fun” factor, and through feelings of achievement. Second, the participants described that the competition and frustration of playing “Bandit the Dolphin” increased eventual feelings of achievement. Third, participants described how feelings of immersion, or being absorbed in the game, helped them forget their other life concerns. These findings provide a better understanding of older adults’ perceived relationship between an exergame intervention, “Bandit the Dolphin,” and short-term improved mood. Future health and engineering researchers should explore exergames as a potential tool to improve the mental health of older adults.

scholarly journals Increasing Older Adult Involvement in Geriatric Assessment: A Mixed-Methods Process Evaluation

2021 ◽  
pp. 089826432199332
Author(s):  
Wanda Rietkerk ◽  
Jannet de Jonge-de Haan ◽  
Joris P. J. Slaets ◽  
Sytse U. Zuidema ◽  
Debby L. Gerritsen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Geriatric Assessment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Implementation Processes ◽  
Adult Involvement ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objectives: Goal setting and motivational interviewing (MI) may increase well-being by promoting healthy behavior. Since we failed to show improved well-being in a proactive assessment service for community-dwelling older adults applying these techniques, we studied whether implementation processes could explain this. Methods: Goals set during the comprehensive geriatric assessment were evaluated on their potential for behavior change. MI and goal setting adherence wasassessed by reviewing audiotaped interactions and interviewing care professionals. Results: Among the 280 goals set with 230 frail older adults (mean age 77 ± 6.9 years, 59% women), more than 90% had a low potential for behavior change. Quality thresholds for MI were reached in only one of the 11 interactions. Application was hindered by the context and the limited proficiency of care professionals. Discussion: Implementation was suboptimal for goal setting and MI. This decreased the potential for improved well-being in the participating older adults.

scholarly journals Predicting Technology Use Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic With Community Participation

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 567-567
Author(s):  
Brittany Drazich ◽  
Laura Samuel ◽  
Thomas Cudjoe ◽  
Melissa Hladek ◽  
Sarah Szanton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Community Participation ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Technology use is important for older adults, particularly in the pandemic. The pattern of technology use among older adults varies significantly. We hypothesized that limitations of activities of daily living (ADL), wellbeing, and community participation of community-dwelling older adults before the pandemic would predict technology use during the pandemic. National Health and Aging Trends Study data on 2924 older adults were utilized. Adjusted for age, gender, race, education, marital status, and chronic conditions, previous well-being predicted more online social activities (OR=1.03, p =.03); previous ADL limitations predicted more telehealth use (OR=1.11, p=.014); and previous community participation predicted: learning new technologies (OR=1.46, p <.001), more telecommunication (OR=1.12, p=.007), more online social activity (OR=1.58, p<.001), and more telehealth use (OR=1.09, p= .04). The results of this study imply that high community participation promotes older adults’ transition to technology use. Older adults with low participation may need extra attention for such a transition.

Barriers to technology use among older heart failure individuals in managing their symptoms after hospital discharge

2017 ◽  
Vol 105 ◽  
pp. 136-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Nguyen ◽  
Karim Keshavjee ◽  
Norm Archer ◽  
Christopher Patterson ◽  
Femida Gwadry-Sridhar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Hospital Discharge ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Barriers To Technology Use ◽  
Barriers To Technology

scholarly journals Nutrition-Related Policy Fundamentals for Supporting Older Adults in the Community during a Pandemic: Lessons from COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meredith Whitmire ◽  
Mary Beth Arensberg ◽  
Alexandra Ashbrook ◽  
Robert Blancato
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Older Americans ◽  
Nutrition Programs ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
The U.S

Nutrition is a key factor supporting healthy aging. Yet during the global COVID-19 pandemic, issuances of shelter-in-place orders, closures of senior centers and other congregate dining locations, losses of income, increases in grocery prices, and other changes have left many older adults struggling to maintain good nutrition. However, there are available solutions to improve the nutrition of millions of older adults who may be challenged to put food on the table. This commentary outlines the problems of older adult malnutrition and food insecurity and their strong correlation with COVID-19. It summarizes existing federal nutrition programs for older adults, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Older Americans Act (OAA) nutrition programs and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s means-tested nutrition programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The commentary also contains lessons from community-based OAA nutrition programs that refocused some of their nutrition services and other supportive services during the COVID-19 pandemic to better serve socially distancing, newly homebound older adults. It explores pre- and post-COVID-19 policy actions and opportunities for improving the nutrition, health, and well-being of community-dwelling older Americans during the current pandemic and beyond, including the need for more federal funding and flexibility for older adult nutrition programs, the need for improvements to older adult access to these programs, and the need for more older adult nutrition screening and intervention.

scholarly journals The Association Between the Use of Digital Health Management Tools and Subjective Well-Being Among Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 498-498
Author(s):  
Mai See Yang ◽  
Haowei Wang ◽  
Yong Kyung Choi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Management Tools

Abstract This study aims to examine the association between the use of digital health management tools and subjective well-being in later life. Research is limited about technology use (e.g., participation in online wellness program, finding medical information, using devices to monitor health) among community dwelling older adults. This study used data from the Health and Retirement study 2012 Module “Technology Use: Barriers and Benefits” (N = 1,416). We used multiple regression methods to test the association between technology use and subjective well-being (i.e., self-rated health, life satisfaction, and depressive symptoms). Over half of the participants reported using technology (58%). The mean age for this group was 68.7 (SD 9.6). Majority of the respondents were female (55%). About 18% were non-Hispanic Blacks, 2% were non-Hispanic other, 11% were Hispanic, and 68% were non-Hispanic Whites. For this sample of technology users, the usage of digital health management included online exercise programs (16%), online wellness programs or health monitoring programs (7%), searching for medical and health information online (43%), digital devices to monitor health (31%), and physical activity-based video game such as Wii Fit (7%). Over 88% of the sample have used at least one of these formats to monitor their health. Results from regression models suggested that the use of any digital health management tools was related to fewer depressive symptoms and better self-reported health. Findings from this study provide insight into how digital health management can protect older adults from poor subjective well-being in later life.

58-LB: Barriers to Technology Use for Underserved Communities with Type 1 Diabetes

Diabetes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 58-LB
Author(s):  
ASHBY F. WALKER ◽  
NICOLAS CUTTRISS ◽  
MICHAEL J. HALLER ◽  
STEPHANIE L. FILIPP ◽  
KATARINA YABUT ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 1 Diabetes ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Underserved Communities ◽  
Barriers To Technology Use ◽  
Barriers To Technology

scholarly journals Short-Term Lifestyle Strategies for Sustaining Cognitive Status

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth P. Howard ◽  
John N. Morris ◽  
Knight Steel ◽  
Kelley A. Strout ◽  
Brant E. Fries ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cognitive Status ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Favorable Effect ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Short Term ◽  
One Year

Cognitive decline impacts older adults, particularly their independence. The goal of this project was to increase understanding of how short-term, everyday lifestyle options, including physical activity, help an older adult sustain cognitive independence. Using a secondary analysis of lifestyle choices, we drew on a dataset of 4,620 community-dwelling elders in the US, assessed at baseline and one year later using 2 valid and reliable tools, the interRAI Community Health Assessment and the interRAI Wellness tool. Decline or no decline on the Cognitive Performance Scale was the dependent variable. We examined sustaining one’s status on this measure over a one-year period in relation to key dimensions of wellness through intellectual, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual variables. Engaging in physical activity, formal exercise, and specific recreational activities had a favorable effect on short-term cognitive decline. Involvement with computers, crossword puzzles, handicrafts, and formal education courses also were protective factors. The physical and intellectual domains of wellness are prominent aspects in protection from cognitive decline. Inherent in these two domains are mutable factors suitable for targeted efforts to promote older adult health and well-being.

861-P: Barriers to Technology Use in Pediatric Patients with Type 1 Diabetes

Diabetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 861-P
Author(s):  
DAVID TSAI ◽  
MARK W. REID ◽  
JAQUELIN J. FLORES GARCIA ◽  
JENNIFER RAYMOND
Keyword(s):  
Type 1 Diabetes ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Barriers To Technology Use ◽  
Barriers To Technology

scholarly journals Exploring the Effects of Arts Intervention Groups on Well-Being Among Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 29-29
Author(s):  
Emily Ihara ◽  
Kathryn McNeil ◽  
Adriana Lopez-Piper ◽  
Maxine Eber ◽  
Catherine Tompkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Subjective Evaluation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Social Conversation ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Engaging in the arts reportedly improves well-being, but research is limited on the specific effects for community-dwelling older adults. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to examine how taking part in different arts interventions (dance & music), affects older adults’ overall well-being compared to a social conversation control group. Sixty-four participants (mean = 71 years old) participated twice weekly in a 10-week intervention that included ballroom dancing (n=23), ukulele playing (n=17), and social conversation (n=24). At the conclusion, three focus groups were held to assess participants’ experiences and subjective evaluation of the interventions’ impact. Twenty-two out of the sixty-four participants (dance= 8, ukulele = 6, social conversation = 8) took part in focus groups. Transcripts of the recorded focus groups were independently coded and compared. Common themes were agreed-upon by two researchers. Focus groups revealed positive outcomes for participants in all three groups. Several themes emerged across the intervention groups compared to the control group, including participants feeling challenged as they crossed their comfort zones, reporting increased confidence, enhanced social connections, and a sense of accomplishment when learning new skills. Community-dwelling older adults reported improved health-related outcomes after taking part in arts and social conversation sessions. Implementation of community-engaged arts intervention programs for older adults in the future may examine motivators which attract participants, foster positive social connections during sessions, and use participant-empowering pedagogical adaptations to retain participants. These factors can increase the efficacy of arts-engaged programs and help improve well-being in older adults.

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