Evaluation of an Intergenerational and Technological Intervention for Loneliness: Protocol for a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background Social integration and mental health are vital aspects of healthy aging. However, close to half of Canadians older than 80 years report feeling socially isolated. Research has shown that social isolation leads to increased mortality and morbidity, and various interventions have been studied to alleviate loneliness among older adults. This proposal presents an evaluation of an intervention that provides one-on-one coaching, is intergenerational, provides both educational and socialization experiences, and increases technology literacy of older adults to overcome loneliness. Objective This paper describes the protocol of a randomized, mixed-methods study that will take place in Ontario, Canada. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if an intergenerational technology literacy program can reduce social isolation and depression in older adults via quantitative and qualitative outcome measures. Methods This study is a randomized, mixed-methods, feasibility trial with 2 conditions. Older adults in the intervention condition will receive 1 hour of weekly technological assistance to send an email to a family member, for 8 weeks, with the assistance of a volunteer. Participants in the control condition will not receive any intervention. The primary outcomes are loneliness, measured using the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, and depression, measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, both of which are measured weekly. Secondary outcomes are quality of life, as assessed using the Older People’s Quality of Life-Brief version, and technological literacy, evaluated using the Computer Proficiency Questionnaire-12, both of which will be administered before and after the intervention. Semistructured interviews will be completed before and after the intervention to assess participants’ social connectedness, familiarity with technology, and their experience with the intervention. The study will be completed in a long-term care facility in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Significance was set at P<.05. Results This study was funded in April 2019 and ethical approval was obtained in August 2019. Recruitment for the study started in November 2019. The intervention began in February 2020 but was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The trial will be restarted when safe. As of March 2020, 8 participants were recruited. Conclusions Information and communication technology interventions have shown varying results in reducing loneliness and improving mental health among older adults. Few studies have examined the role of one-on-one coaching for older adults in addition to technology education in such interventions. Data from this study may have the potential to provide evidence for other groups to disseminate similar interventions in their respective communities. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/23767

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].…”

PulseBeats

“…An intergenerational study is underway to assess the feasibility of one-on-one coaching of senior adults to use technology. Hoang et al (2021) in Ontario, Canada, have recruited adult participants older than 80 years and residing in a long-term care facility to test a proposed intervention to increase the technology literacy in older adults as a means to reducing their social isolation and loneliness.…”

Implementing Technology Literacy Programs in Retirement Homes and Residential Care Facilities: Conceptual Framework

“…Existing literature suggests that active steps should be taken to educate and support older adults in their engagement with technology to help them build and maintain social connections with their family, friends, and the wider community [ 9 - 12 ]. Implementing teaching and education opportunities by volunteer organizations, for instance, that involve peer-to-peer learning and intergenerational relationships to help older adults adopt technology are recommended [ 5 , 9 , 13 ].…”

“…In many regions, community organizations provide technology education and assistance to older adults at a low cost or for free, such as the enTECH Computer Club, based out of the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Before the pandemic, enTECH volunteers worked with residents of local LTC homes and supported older adults reaching their technology goals [ 13 , 14 ]. To facilitate the expansion of club activities to other locations, enTECH club members have also developed a knowledge translation toolkit in consultation with the University of Waterloo faculty [ 15 ].…”