Lessons Learned from Supporting Low-income Older Adults to Use a Tablet PC in the Age of Digital Divide

This study examines how low-income African-American older adults, one of the groups most vulnerable to misinformation online, assess the credibility of online information. In examining this, we conducted both face-to-face interviews and a survey and then analyzed how their digital media use, demographics, self-efficacy, and involvement with particular topics were associated with their credibility assessments of online information. Our results suggest that education and topic involvement are statistically significant factors associated with assessments of message content and source credibility. Moreover, for our respondents, assessments of content credibility, as opposed to those of source credibility, were far more challenging. This research is one of the few studies examining online information credibility assessments made by low-income minority older adults. Theoretical and practical implications of our results are discussed in the context of misinformation, credibility assessment, and the digital divide.

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ADDRESSING SOCIAL ISOLATION AND LONELINESS AMONG LOW-INCOME SENIORS IN SAN FRANCISCO

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2235 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S601-S601

Author(s):

Catherine Spensley

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

San Francisco ◽

Low Income ◽

Cultural Exchange ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Service Agency ◽

Term Care ◽

Trauma Informed ◽

Socially Isolated

Abstract Felton Institute has been working to eliminate isolation and loneliness in San Francisco since its inception as a community social service agency 130 years ago. Felton offers culturally and linguistically appropriate programs and services that foster community and social connections among socially isolated, low income older adults, including those living with serious mental illness and those residing in local long-term care facilities. Examples include workforce programs for older adults; the foster grandparent program; and the senior companion program which includes friendly visiting, senior counseling, and peer escort services. This session will highlight lessons learned from these successful programs as well as how they have led to the development of new initiatives focused on conducting outreach, providing trauma-informed services, offering wellness classes, and organizing meaningful activities including a choir, intergenerational gardening, arts and dance classes, and cultural exchange opportunities to isolated older adults living in poverty in San Francisco’s Visitacion Valley.

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POLICY SERIES: ADDRESSING LONELINESS AMONG OLDER ADULTS THROUGH RESEARCH, COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, AND A NEW FEDERAL POLICY AGENDA

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2232 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S600-S600

Author(s):

Erica Solway ◽

Brian W Lindberg

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Life Expectancy ◽

San Francisco ◽

Low Income ◽

Well Being ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Community Programs ◽

Socially Isolated ◽

The Impact

Abstract Millions of older adults experience feelings of loneliness. A growing body of research has found that chronic loneliness can impact memory, physical well-being, mental health, and life expectancy rivaling the impact on health outcomes of obesity and smoking. Loneliness has been found to impact memory, physical well-being, mental health, and life expectancy. In this session, GSA policy advisor Brian Lindberg will lead a data-driven discussion about who experiences loneliness and isolation and how we might create opportunities for connectedness through new areas of research, forward-thinking policies, and innovative community programs. Presenters include Erica Solway, associate director for the National Poll on Healthy Aging, who will highlight results from a poll conducted in October 2018 among a nationally representative sample of adults age 50 to 80 which found that more than one in three respondents felt a lack of companionships and more than one in four felt socially isolated. Then Catherine Spensley, Director of the Senior Division at Felton Institute, will describe lessons learned in developing and delivering culturally and linguistically appropriate programs and services that foster community and social connections among socially isolated, low income older adults in San Francisco. Finally, Andrew MacPherson, Principal at Healthsperien, LLC, and Director of the Coalition to End Social Isolation & Loneliness will describe stakeholder efforts to advocate for federal legislative and regulatory policy options to address the epidemic including increased funding for and access to supportive services, health care, technology, and public and private research initiatives.

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Using the Replicating Effective Programs Framework to Adapt a Heart Health Intervention

Health Promotion Practice ◽

10.1177/1524839918775740 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 20 (5) ◽

pp. 760-769 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jessica E. Ramsay ◽

Mary R. Janevic ◽

Cainnear K. Hogan ◽

Dominique L. Edwards ◽

Cathleen M. Connell

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Chronic Disease ◽

Low Income ◽

The United States ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Self Management ◽

Management Support ◽

Management Intervention ◽

Effective Programs

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. African Americans and people of low socioeconomic status suffer disproportionately from heart disease–related morbidity and mortality. In Detroit, Michigan, a primarily African American and low-income urban area, heart disease mortality is at twice the national rate. Despite evidence for the effectiveness of self-management support interventions in reducing chronic disease burden for older adults, few are adapted for communities most in need. This article describes the process of adapting Take PRIDE, an evidence-based heart disease self-management intervention, for older adults in Detroit via the Replicating Effective Programs (REP) framework. Working within a community–academic partnership, we found REP useful in facilitating the identification of diverse stakeholders, core versus adaptable elements of the intervention and barriers to implementation. We also made several modifications to the REP framework in order to better fit our project needs. Overall, we found REP to be an effective, flexible tool that allowed us to successfully adapt a disease-management intervention for this setting. Processes, lessons learned, and recommendations offered in this article may help researchers and practitioners working to expand access to self-management support for populations most affected by chronic disease.

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Aspects of ICT connectivity among older adults living in rural subsidized housing: reassessing the digital divide

Journal of Enabling Technologies ◽

10.1108/jet-12-2020-0052 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Casey Golomski ◽

Marguerite Corvini ◽

BoRin Kim ◽

John Wilcox ◽

Scott Valcourt

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

New England ◽

Digital Divide ◽

Low Income ◽

Subsidized Housing ◽

Housing Conditions ◽

Information Communication ◽

Content Type ◽

Internet Age ◽

Use Of Social Media

PurposeThis article examines aspects of information communication technology (ICT) connectivity among the understudied population of low-income older adults living in rural and peri-urban subsidized housing. We aim to investigate if variations exist in access and connectivity when economic and housing conditions are constant and use data from northern New England.Design/methodology/approachThe multidisciplinary, mixed-methods approach involved administering structured surveys using iPads with senior residents (n = 91) from five housing sites, qualitative observations by field researchers and an ecological assessment of ICT resources at housing, community and state levels.FindingsAll subsidized housing sites were broadband accessible and nearby libraries. Fewer sites had Wi-Fi freely available to residents, and individual residents disparately accessed the Internet. Age and education demonstrably influenced ICT use of social media and email. Technology in the form of iPads used for surveys posed functional challenges for some older adults, but these technology-mediated interactions were also perceived as important sites of sociability.Originality/valueOlder adults disparately access and use ICT relative to socioeconomic status even as housing conditions remain constant, and access and use influences frequency of social connections with friends and family. The findings reveal factors that contribute to the existing digital divide facing older adults and broader lack of digital equity.

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Lessons From Lighthouse: Operationalizing Technology to Support Older Adults in Affordable Housing Communities

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.1800 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 467-468

Author(s):

David Lindeman

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Services ◽

Affordable Housing ◽

Low Income ◽

Broad Band ◽

Implementation Strategies ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Technology Selection ◽

Successful Implementation ◽

Internet Service

Abstract Lighthouse for Older Adults, an innovative public-private partnership, was developed in response to COVID-19 as a means of advancing telehealth for low-income older adults living in affordable housing communities. Residents of these communities often don’t have reliable access to devices, sufficient bandwidth for telehealth, or adequate social services, further complicated by the need for multi-lingual and culturally sensitive programs. This presentation will share program implementation strategies and outcomes, including the essential role telehealth services play in the care and wellbeing of older adults during and beyond COVID-19. This session will review evidence-based components of a telehealth intervention, including digital literacy training and technology support. Key drivers for successful implementation (e.g., peer led training, user input into technology selection) as well as barriers to implementation (e.g., broad band installation, internet service availability/cost, tech support) will be reviewed. Lessons learned through program replication and scaling of Lighthouse telehealth services will be discussed.

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Implementation of a Care Management Program for Low-Income Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2918 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 804-804

Author(s):

Anna Schloen ◽

Helen Grimaldi

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Low Income ◽

Care Management ◽

Quality Care ◽

Management Program ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Implementation Framework ◽

Take Back ◽

Care Management Program

Abstract The focus of this session will be on the implementation of a new care management program in Chicago for low income older adults. Framed by the Exploration, Installation, Initial Implementation, and Full Implementation framework, the presenter will first discuss the process and outcomes of a needs assessment which informed the program. The presenter will share strategies and lessons learned from getting the program off the ground and initial lessons learned which informed the full program as it is operated today. In 2 years, the program has grown from 1 FTE to 4.5 FTE and to 250 clients. The presenter will provide strategies for managing growth while maintaining quality care. Finally, the presenter will provide information on the program's collaboration with a researcher to enhance evidence-based service delivery within the care management program. Participants will learn specific strategies they can take back to their own communities to implement care management programs.

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