Alzheimer's Association Project VITAL: A Florida Statewide Initiative Using Technology to Impact Social Isolation and Well-Being

Abstract

Lack of social engagement and the resulting social isolation can have negative impacts on health and well-being, especially in senior care communities and for those living with dementia. Project VITAL leverages technology and community resources to create a network for connection, engagement, education, and support of individuals with dementia and their caregivers, and explores the impact of these interventions in reducing feelings of social isolation and increasing mood among residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through two phases, 600 personalized Wi-Fi-enabled iN2L tablets were distributed to 300 senior care communities (55% assisted living communities, 37% skilled nursing communities, 6% memory care communities, and 2% adult family-care homes) to connect and engage residents and their families. Different phases also included Project ECHO, a video-based learning platform, Alzheimer's Association virtual and online education and support for family caregivers, evidence-based online professional dementia care staff training and certification, and Virtual Forums designed to explore ways to build sustainable, scalable models to ensure access to support and decrease social isolation in the future. Tablet usage was collected over an 11-month period and an interim survey was designed to assess the effectiveness of the tablets, in preventing social isolation and increasing mood among residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 105 care community staff (whose community used the tablets) completed the survey and overall, these staff showed a high level of agreement to statements indicating that residents struggled with loneliness and mood, and that the tablet was useful in improving loneliness and mood in residents and allowing them to stay in touch with family and friends. Additional positive results were seen through a variety of other responses around the tablets and Project ECHO. Overall, the tablets were shown to be an effective way to engage residents and connect them with friends and family, as well as being a useful tool for staff members. A third phase is currently underway in the homes of people with dementia and their family caregivers, which includes tablets and direct access to Alzheimer's Association virtual and online education and support programs.

Addressing loneliness and social isolation through the involvement of primary and secondary informal caregivers in nursing homes: a scoping review

“…Most interventions either maintained contact with primary caregivers or created new social relationships with secondary caregivers, and only a few studies combined both aspects. In one intervention, trained student volunteers offered technical assistance to residents in sending emails to family members [ 45 ], a second intervention combined a customized tablet interface for families with a virtual stakeholder forum [ 50 ] and a third intervention displayed photographs uploaded by family members which could be seen by other residents and were to foster exchange between them [ 49 ]. The Eden Alternative established regular ties with children and other residents while also encouraging meaningful family connections [ 64 ], and another program encouraged peer support and the maintenance of contact with friends and family [ 62 ].…”

“…Most studies reported on interventions that introduced a digital technology or that trained a population in the usage of a digital technology (n = 17). Such interventions consisted of videoconferencing tools delivered through smartphones, computers, televisions or robots [34][35][36][37][38][39][40]; other communication technology, such as messaging apps, online platforms or e-mail programs [41][42][43][44][45][46]; or the technological delivery of entertainment activities or therapeutic support, i.e., video gaming and digital reminiscence tools [47][48][49] or a combination of various modified tablet functions [50].…”

A systematic review of specialty dementia care units in long‐term care settings

“…Without these, barriers may impede rollout and sustainability of interventions 24 . One study in the U.S. examined whether tablet computers serve as a meaningful tool to connect isolated residents with family and friends; results demonstrated improved mood and decreased social isolation among residents 25 …”

What kind of a problem is loneliness? Representations of connectedness and participation from a study of telepresence technologies in the UK

“…These include remote provision of services [e.g., therapeutic interventions and self-guided therapy ( 29 )] and participation in specifically designed interventions such as a virtual senior centre ( 30 ) and an Internet Information Station ( 31 ). Both mainstream [e.g., mobile phones and laptops ( 32 )] and especially adapted technologies [for example ‘Skype on Wheels’ ( 33 ) and personalised tablets ( 34 )] have been found to be beneficial for older people experiencing social isolation in diverse settings. Many of these interventions included support and training in using digital technologies to enable them to connect with family and friends and engage in new online activities.…”

“…There is a divergence between evolutionary and ecological frameworks which represents differences between social/situational and biological (including physiological and psychological) theories of loneliness, with corresponding variations in how technology is understood to help. Using technology to leverage community resources, strengthen networks ( 34 ) and engage with the outside world ( 57 , 58 ) offer routes to addressing social isolation and situated loneliness ( 59 ). Alternatively, technologies can address the “regulatory loop” of internal thoughts and feelings which protects people from negative social contact but ultimately reduces positive connections ( 56 ).…”