scholarly journals The Digital Divide Among Low-Income Homebound Older Adults: Internet Use Patterns, eHealth Literacy, and Attitudes Toward Computer/Internet Use

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. e93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Namkee G Choi ◽  
Diana M DiNitto
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Ehealth Literacy ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Homebound Older Adults

scholarly journals Age-Cohort Differences in Longitudinal Associations Between the Rate of Internet Use and Memory Functioning

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 410-410
Author(s):  
Vineet Raichur ◽  
Lindsay Ryan ◽  
Richard Gonzalez ◽  
Jacqui Smith
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Cognitive Complexity ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Word Recall ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Cross-sectional analyses of internet use patterns among older adults find that the rate of internet use is less with greater physical and memory difficulties. It is not clear, however, how age-cohorts differ in their internet use as physical and memory difficulties increase over time. In addition to factors such as increasing accessibility (cost) and social influences, the expansion and cognitive complexity of functions performed by the internet-enabled devices over time could influence internet use patterns. In this study, we investigate how the association between internet use and episodic memory difficulties over time varies between cohorts. We analyzed longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 15,703 in 2002; Aged 51 and older) between years 2002-2016 using mixed effects logistic regression models. Immediate and delayed word recall measures were used to assess episodic memory. Rate of internet use in the sample increased from 30% in 2002 to 53% in 2016. Rate of internet use among younger age groups was significantly higher in the baseline year. Younger age groups also showed a significantly higher rate of increase in internet use over time. In general, internet use decreased with episodic memory impairment. In addition to these effects, the effect of episodic memory on the rate of increase in internet use over time is lower in younger cohorts. These results indicate that younger cohorts of older adults are more likely to maintain internet use as they continue to age and therefore could better utilize technology for communication, social interactions and health interventions.

Bridging the Digital Divide for Older Adults via Intergenerational Mentor-Up

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 786-795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Othelia Eun-Kyoung Lee ◽  
Do-Hong Kim
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Training Needs ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Ehealth Literacy ◽  
Intergenerational Interaction ◽  
Parallel Fashion

Objectives: The effectiveness of Intergenerational Mentor-Up (IMU), an innovative intervention that engages college students in tutoring older adults, was examined with regard to eHealthy literacy and social isolation. Method: A total of 55 older adults (mean age = 73.82) participated in the six-session IMU tutorials. In this mixed methods study, quantitative and qualitative data were collected in a parallel fashion. Participants were interviewed after participating in the IMU. Results: Older adults presented significant improvement between pre- and postsurveys in various outcomes such as eHealth literacy, technophobia, self-efficacy, and interest in technology. Intergenerational interaction brought about by IMU helped to decrease social isolation among older adults. Qualitative data revealed that individualized training, modifications, adaptations, and intergenerational interactions can decrease their anxiety and boost their confidence. Discussion: Study findings enable the identification of the training needs to help close the digital divide and allow these older adults to reap the benefits of technology use.

Vulnerable populations and misinformation: A mixed-methods approach to underserved older adults’ online information assessment

2020 ◽  
pp. 146144482092504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyunjin Seo ◽  
Matthew Blomberg ◽  
Darcey Altschwager ◽  
Hong Tien Vu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Source Credibility ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Message Content ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Significant Factors

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.

Telehealth Problem-Solving Therapy for Depressed Low-Income Homebound Older Adults

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Namkee G. Choi ◽  
Mark T. Hegel ◽  
C. Nathan Marti ◽  
Mary Lynn Marinucci ◽  
Leslie Sirrianni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Problem Solving Therapy ◽  
Homebound Older Adults

scholarly journals SIX-MONTH POSTINTERVENTION DEPRESSION AND DISABILITY OUTCOMES OF IN-HOME TELEHEALTH PROBLEM-SOLVING THERAPY FOR DEPRESSED, LOW-INCOME HOMEBOUND OLDER ADULTS

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 653-661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Namkee G. Choi ◽  
C. Nathan Marti ◽  
Martha L. Bruce ◽  
Mark T. Hegel ◽  
Nancy L. Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Problem Solving Therapy ◽  
Home Telehealth ◽  
Homebound Older Adults

scholarly journals Applying the Electronic Health Literacy Lens: Systematic Review of Electronic Health Interventions Targeted at Socially Disadvantaged Groups

10.2196/18476 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. e18476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Cheng ◽  
Alison Beauchamp ◽  
Gerald R Elsworth ◽  
Richard H Osborne
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Low Income ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Low Literacy ◽  
Ehealth Literacy ◽  
Disadvantaged Groups ◽  
Socially Disadvantaged ◽  
Electronic Health ◽  
Improve Health

Background Electronic health (eHealth) has the potential to improve health outcomes. However, eHealth systems need to match the eHealth literacy needs of users to be equitably adopted. Socially disadvantaged groups have lower access and skills to use technologies and are at risk of being digitally marginalized, leading to the potential widening of health disparities. Objective This systematic review aims to explore the role of eHealth literacy and user involvement in developing eHealth interventions targeted at socially disadvantaged groups. Methods A systematic search was conducted across 10 databases for eHealth interventions targeted at older adults, ethnic minority groups, low-income groups, low-literacy groups, and rural communities. The eHealth Literacy Framework was used to examine the eHealth literacy components of reviewed interventions. The results were analyzed using narrative synthesis. Results A total of 51 studies reporting on the results of 48 interventions were evaluated. Most studies were targeted at older adults and ethnic minorities, with only 2 studies focusing on low-literacy groups. eHealth literacy was not considered in the development of any of the studies, and no eHealth literacy assessment was conducted. User involvement in designing interventions was limited, and eHealth intervention developmental frameworks were rarely used. Strategies to assist users in engaging with technical systems were seldom included in the interventions, and accessibility features were limited. The results of the included studies also provided inconclusive evidence on the effectiveness of eHealth interventions. Conclusions The findings highlight that eHealth literacy is generally overlooked in developing eHealth interventions targeted at socially disadvantaged groups, whereas evidence about the effectiveness of such interventions is limited. To ensure equal access and inclusiveness in the age of eHealth, eHealth literacy of disadvantaged groups needs to be addressed to help avoid a digital divide. This will assist the realization of recent technological advancements and, importantly, improve health equity.

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