15 Smartphone Apps for Older Adults to Use While in Isolation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Banskota, Swechya; Healy, Margaret; Goldberg, Elizabeth M.

doi:10.5811/westjem.2020.4.47372

Cited by 234 publications

(222 citation statements)

References 54 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

198

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“… This suggests that social isolation has to be restricted to infected subjects and to those in close contact with infected subjects. When necessary, isolation has to be associated as much as possible with measures to prevent negative effects on residents’ mental and health status [ 20 – 24 ]. …”

Section: Adverse Effects Of Social Isolation and Quarantine In Residementioning

confidence: 99%

August 2020 Interim EuGMS guidance to prepare European Long-Term Care Facilities for COVID-19

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose The European Geriatric Medicine Society (EuGMS) is launching a second interim guidance whose aim is to prevent the entrance and spread of COVID-19 into long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Methods The EuGMS gathered experts to propose a guide of measures to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in LTCFs. It is based on the specific features of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in LTCFs, residents’ needs, and on experiences conducted in the field. Results Asymptomatic COVID-19 residents and staff members contribute substantially to the dissemination of COVID-19 infection in LTCFs. An infection prevention and control focal point should be set up in every LTCF for (1) supervising infection prevention and control measures aimed at keeping COVID-19 out of LTCFs, (2) RT-PCR testing of residents, staff members, and visitors with COVID-19 symptoms, even atypical, and (3) isolating subjects either infected or in contact with infected subjects. When a first LCTF resident or staff member is infected, a facility-wide RT-PCR test–retest strategy should be implemented for detecting all SARS-CoV-2 carriers. Testing should continue until no new COVID-19 cases are identified. The isolation of residents should be limited as much as possible and associated with measures aiming at limiting its negative effects on their mental and somatic health status. Conclusions An early recognition of symptoms compatible with COVID-19 may help to diagnose COVID-19 residents and staff more promptly. Subsequently, an earlier testing for SARS-CoV-2 symptomatic and asymptomatic LTCF staff and residents will enable the implementation of appropriate infection prevention and control. The negative effects of social isolation in residents should be limited as much as possible.

show abstract

Section: Adverse Effects Of Social Isolation and Quarantine In Residementioning

confidence: 99%

August 2020 Interim EuGMS guidance to prepare European Long-Term Care Facilities for COVID-19

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Moreover, M-health offers different tools to improve social connectedness. Banskota et al 48 identified 15 smartphone Apps that can be used to reduce older adults' isolation. These apps-that range from classical social networking apps such as Facetime and Skype, to apps for visual and hearing impairment such as Be My Eyes-address physical and cognitive limitations and have the potential to improve the quality of life of older adults, especially during social distancing or self-quarantine.…”

Section: Social Technologies: Using Technology To Promote Social Intementioning

confidence: 99%

Positive Technology and COVID-19

Riva

Mantovani

Wiederhold

2020

Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The past 10 years have seen the development and maturation of several digital technologies that can have a critical role to enhancement of happiness and psychological well-being. In particular, the past decade has seen the emergence of a new paradigm: ''Positive Technology,'' the scientific and applied approach to the use of technology for improving the quality of our personal experience. In this article we discussed the potential of Positive Technology to augment and enhance the existing strategies for generating psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular different positive technologies-m-Health and smartphone apps, stand-alone and social virtual reality, video games, exergames, and social technologies-have the potential of enhancing different critical features of our personal experience-affective quality, engagement/actualization, and connectedness-that are challenged by the pandemic and its social and economic effects. In conclusion, although the focus of tackling the direct impact of COVID-19 is important, positive technologies can be extremely useful to reduce the psychological burden of the pandemic and to help individuals in flourishing even during difficult and complex times.

show abstract

“…6 In terms of specific populations affected by the pandemic, Banskota et al commented in an article on the effects of COVID-19 on the heavily affected population of older adults (OAs) and reported on "15 Smartphone Apps for Older Adults to Use While in Isolation During the COVID-19 Pandemic." 7 Regarding how apps can help this population, the authors stated: "Many apps are available to help OAs navigate isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. While not all of the apps on our list are marketed specifically to OAs, we include apps with broad acceptability and positive user experience to ensure a list that helps access healthcare, maintain mental and physical health, and meets OAs' various social and functional needs during social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak.…”

Section: Implications For the Futurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Social isolation has been linked to physical and cognitive conditions including heart disease, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, Alzheimer's disease, and a weakened immune system." 7 Some of the apps listed in the article include Facebook, Skype, and Doctor on Demand, but also mind-body therapy apps such as Calm, Headspace: Meditation & Sleep, and Yoga: Down Dog. Banskota et al added that many apps are inexpensive and accessible, and commented: "Research has shown that OAs can use smartphones when provided the necessary training.…”

Section: Implications For the Futurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recommending these 15 apps, along with providing some training and guidance to an OA, could help decrease loneliness and maintain and/or improve the health and independence of OAs during the COVID-19 pandemic." 7 Zindel V. Segal, PhD, C.Psych, distinguished professor of psychology in mood disorders, Graduate Department of Psychological Clinical Science, University of Toronto-Scarborough, Canada, in an interview commented: "Mind-body practices have been available in portable format for a long time. In the past, people could listen to a guided meditation on an MP3 file, through the Apple Store, Spotify or YouTube and could watch a video of people guiding them through a yoga class.…”

Section: Implications For the Futurementioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Pandemic Drives Increase in Mind–Body Therapy Use: Implications for the Future

Hart

2020

Alternative and Complementary Therapies

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

It is not surprising that the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and particularly mind-body therapies has significantly increased during the current global pandemic. The daily news abounds regarding rising rates of people suffering with stress, anxiety, depression, uncertainty, insomnia, and many other conditions as people learn to adjust to a new world. As a result, millions of people around the globe have turned to mind-body therapies-with many of those encounters occurring virtually-for relief. As the pandemic lingers on, the implications for the future in terms of the increased use of mind-body therapies are manifold. Increased Demand for Virtual Classes Utilizing virtual mind-body classes through mobile applications and attending in-person classes when available can help people connect with others; learn helpful information to improve or maintain health; increase social support; decrease feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression; lessen feelings of loneliness and isolation; and learn skills to cope with the many challenges of the pandemic. People report that practices such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and others help them to cope, calm, center, and re-energize themselves. The Mindful USC initiative at the University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, California, has added many new resources to meet the high demand for anxiety relief among students, faculty, and staff, according to an article on the USC website, which stated: "Through Mindful USC, students and faculty and staff members take online courses in mindfulness practice, including special sessions focused on mindful eating and meditation for stressed-out parents with kids at home. The need is so great that registration for Mindful USC's meditation classes has surged. All 12 of the latest classes filled in record time, triggering waitlists and a scramble for more offerings to meet the increased demand." 1 Allen Weiss, PhD, founder and director of Mindful USC, stated in an interview that practicing mindfulness helps people process difficult thinking and emotions and helps people navigate the difficulties and uncertainties that many are facing

show abstract

15 Smartphone Apps for Older Adults to Use While in Isolation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cited by 234 publications

References 54 publications

August 2020 Interim EuGMS guidance to prepare European Long-Term Care Facilities for COVID-19

August 2020 Interim EuGMS guidance to prepare European Long-Term Care Facilities for COVID-19

Positive Technology and COVID-19

Pandemic Drives Increase in Mind–Body Therapy Use: Implications for the Future

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About