Exploring Video Chat for Social Engagement in Older Adults With and Without Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

Social engagement technologies have the potential to benefit health and quality of life in older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, technologies are rarely designed to accommodate the interests, capabilities, and limitations of these populations. In the current study, we focused on examining the potential of video chat to socially engage older adults with and without MCI by providing opportunities to link people with shared interests. Eight cognitively normal older adults (Mage: 73.3 years) and five with MCI (Mage: 70.0 years) completed a four-week experiential field trial using a novel online video chat platform called OneClick. System Usability Scale scores at both pre- and post-assessment revealed that OneClick was easy to use for older adults with and without MCI, however individuals with MCI experienced more technical issues and required additional assistance to use the system. Pre- to post- comparisons of questionnaire data revealed positive changes for the Quality of Life, Friendship/Social Isolation, and Loneliness scales in both groups. Of the 13 participants, five cognitively normal and four individuals with MCI reported that they would be interested in continuing to use the video chat system at home to connect with family and friends or to discuss topics of mutual interests. Overall, all participants enjoyed using the video chat system as a means for social engagement and showed trends for social health and quality of life benefits. This field trial illustrates the potential for video chat to provide social engagement opportunities for older adults with and without cognitive impairment.

Methods and baseline characteristics for a social engagement technology-based randomized controlled trial for older adults

“…We then completed an experiential field trial [ 35 ] to assess OneClick's usability, specifically in the context of conducting social engagement events for older adults with (n = 5) and without (n = 8) cognitive challenges. Participants reported an overall positive experience using the OneClick platform for social engagement events and provided valuable feedback to improve the event structure (e.g., breakout room size, length of discussion) and content (e.g., preferences for topics of conversation).…”

“…Primary outcome measures included two measures of social engagement, the UCLA Loneliness Scale [ 39 ] and Friendship Scale [ 40 ], as well as a global measure of quality of life [ 41 ]. These measures are widely used in the context of social engagement and were utilized during our field trial [ 35 ]. Secondary outcome measures were guided by a published framework of social engagement in older adults with cognitive impairment [ 42 ], which outlined the importance of considering both social network and social activity aspects of social engagement.…”