Digital Inclusion of Older Adults during COVID-19: Lessons from a Case Study of Older Adults Technology Services (OATS)

Weil, Joyce; Kamber, Thomas; Glazebrook, Alexander; Giorgi, Marisa; Ziegler, Kimberly

doi:10.1080/01634372.2021.1919274

Cited by 27 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Our findings indicate that solutions for closing the digital divide and increasing telehealth use among older adults are readily achievable with access to ICT devices and the internet and lessons on how to use technology, especially for low-income older adults. Older adults who have access to low-cost, subsidized broadband services may need assistance to take advantage of this technology, and those without such access should be provided low-cost and/or publicly funded or subsidized digital access programs ( OATS, 2021 ; Weil et al, 2021 ). Improved digital infrastructure can help older adults access ICT devices and the internet and obtain technology lessons that can increase access to needed healthcare and quality of life.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Telehealth Use Among Older Adults During COVID-19: Associations With Sociodemographic and Health Characteristics, Technology Device Ownership, and Technology Learning

et al. 2021

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The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in rapid telehealth/telemedicine adoption. In this study, we (1) examined rates and correlates of telehealth (video call) use among those aged 70+, and (2) tested the significance of access to information and communication technology (ICT) device ownership and knowledge of how to use the internet and devices as telehealth-enabling factors. The Behavioral Model of Health Services Use served as the conceptual framework, and data came from the COVID-19 supplemental survey of the National Health and Aging Trend Study. Results show that telehealth use increased to 21.1% from 4.6% pre-pandemic. In logistic regression models without technology-enabling factors, older age and lower income were negatively associated with telehealth use; however, when technology-enabling factors were included, they were significant while age and income were no longer significant. Insuring that older adults have ICT devices and internet access may reduce health disparities and improve telehealth care delivery.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Telehealth Use Among Older Adults During COVID-19: Associations With Sociodemographic and Health Characteristics, Technology Device Ownership, and Technology Learning

et al. 2021

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“…The current public health guidelines recommend older adults to keep social distancing with others and stay indoors as much as possible, which in turn result in elevated levels of loneliness and social isolation in older adults (8,9). Importantly, in the context of the pandemic, older adults are confronted with disruptions to the daily routines due to lockdown, difficulties in timely accessing to needed healthcare services due to the overwhelmed hospitals, financial loss due to economic recession, separation from family members due to mass quarantine, and difficulties in using digital technologies due to lack of internet access and no smartphones (10)(11)(12); these associated stressors may further exacerbate the mental health of older adults.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Insomnia Symptoms in Older Chinese Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Meta-Analysis

Zhang

Zhong

2021

Front. Med.

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Background: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected the sleep health of older adults, but the limited number of studies on insomnia symptoms of older Chinese adults differed in terms of screener of insomnia, sample size, and prevalence, making mental health planning for this population difficult. This meta-analysis estimated the prevalence of insomnia symptoms in older Chinese adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: Both Chinese (CNKI, Wanfang, VIP) and English (PubMed, EmBase, PsycInfo) databases were systematically searched to identify cross-sectional studies containing data on the prevalence of insomnia symptoms in older Chinese adults during the pandemic. Risk of bias (RoB) of included studies was assessed with the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data.Results: Nine studies with a total of 27,207 older Chinese adults were included. RoB scores of these studies ranged between zero and six. The pooled prevalence rates of insomnia symptoms and moderate and severe insomnia symptoms were 24.6% [95% confidence interval (CI): 19.5–30.5%] and 11.1% (95% CI: 7.2–16.9%), respectively. In subgroup analysis, significantly higher prevalence rates were observed in studies defining insomnia symptoms as “Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) ≥ 8” than in those defining them as “ISI ≥ 15” (32.6 vs. 15.6%, P < 0.001) and in older adults living in the COVID-19 epicenter than in those living in other places (35.2 vs. 23.3%, P = 0.006).Conclusion: Nearly one out of every four older Chinese adults suffered from insomnia symptoms during the pandemic. Mental health services for this population during the pandemic should include supportive activities aimed at improving mental well-being, periodic assessment of insomnia symptoms, and psychiatric assessment and treatment when necessary.

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“…It is worth emphasizing that the use of ICT by aged populations is often included in the digital divide spectrum. Fostering digital inclusion has been increasingly vital, given that the COVID pandemic has brought an (almost total) migration to digital life, and it is necessary to encourage more robust participation in ICT [21]. According to Gorenko and colleagues [22], there are several challenges to a successful implementation of ICT as a form of social and psychological intervention among aged populations, particularly during the current COVID-19 pandemic: (a) attitudes toward necessary technologies for communication and information; (b) ability to access those necessary technologies; (c) limited experience and skills in using the technology; and (d) the need for third-party involvement.…”

Section: Background Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Staying Connected with Aged Populations in Times of COVID-19: An Interview Study of the Role of Portuguese Institutions and Municipalities

Ortet¹,

Regalado²,

Ferreira³

et al. 2022

IxD&A

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In times of social confinement frequently associated with COVID-19 pandemics, an increasing dependence of aged populations on digital media to maintain social interactions and participation in society was observed. Although courses for action on the access to digital media by aged populations and the potential harms of digital inclusion have been acknowledged in the literature, far too little attention has been devoted to the challenges and in situ measures undertaken by local entities targeted to aged populations. The purpose of this study is to analyze the strategies adopted by Portuguese Universities of the Third Age, Municipalities, among other Institutional Care for Aged Populations to ensure communication and active participation of older adults in society and the role of digital media in that process. A total of 72 Portuguese entities developing initiatives addressed to aged populations were interviewed, including Municipalities and Universities of the Third Age, aiming at gathering their perspectives on the challenges and practices of using digital media to involve the ageing population in the community. Data was collected employing a semi-structured interview and content analysis was performed. Findings indicate that although participants found difficulty in adhering to activities owing to the financial and social consequences of the pandemic, most had to restructure their activities to maintain connections and routines. Conclusions offer some important insights into practices to foster participation within the communities using digital platforms.

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Digital Inclusion of Older Adults during COVID-19: Lessons from a Case Study of Older Adults Technology Services (OATS)

Cited by 27 publications

References 14 publications

Telehealth Use Among Older Adults During COVID-19: Associations With Sociodemographic and Health Characteristics, Technology Device Ownership, and Technology Learning

Telehealth Use Among Older Adults During COVID-19: Associations With Sociodemographic and Health Characteristics, Technology Device Ownership, and Technology Learning

Prevalence of Insomnia Symptoms in Older Chinese Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Meta-Analysis

Staying Connected with Aged Populations in Times of COVID-19: An Interview Study of the Role of Portuguese Institutions and Municipalities

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