Impact of the AGE-ON Tablet Training Program on Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Attitudes Toward Technology in Older Adults: Single-Group Pre-Post Study

Abstract

Background The internet and technology can help older adults connect with family and friends. However, many older adults face obstacles to internet and technology use, such as lack of knowledge or self-efficacy. Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of the AGE-ON tablet training program on social isolation, loneliness, and quality of life. Methods Adults aged >60 years took part in a series of 6 weekly workshops covering the basic features of a tablet. Before and after the program, social isolation, loneliness, social support, and quality of life were assessed. In addition, data on current tablet use and attitudes toward technology use were collected. Satisfaction with the program was also assessed at the end of the study using 6 Likert scale questions. Results The participants (N=32; mean age 76.3, SD 8.6 years) were predominantly female (n=20, 63%) and retired (n=30, 94%). The participants reported that they were highly satisfied with the program. After completing the program, no differences in social isolation, loneliness, social support, or quality of life were found. Frequency of tablet use increased and the attitudes of the participants toward technology improved. Conclusions The AGE-ON program resulted in increased tablet use frequency and may improve comfort and attitudes toward tablet use among older adults. This program may assist older adults in overcoming obstacles to internet and technology use to better connect with family and friends; however, further work targeting older adults who are socially isolated or at risk of social isolation is needed to more fully understand whether tablet training programs are beneficial in this population. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03472729; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03472729

The Effects of Technological Interventions on Social Participation of Community-Dwelling Older Adults with and without Dementia: A Systematic Review

“…Studies were published between 2005 and 2020. While 12 studies were published before or in the year 2015 [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 ], 24 studies were published after the year 2015 [ 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 ]. Studies were conducted in 11 different countries, with most of them being conducted in the USA .…”

“…The majority of the included studies used a qualitative study design [ 45 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 57 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 66 , 68 , 69 , 75 , 76 ]. Of the remaining studies, 12 were of quantitative nature [ 46 , 52 , 55 , 56 , 63 , 65 , 67 , 71 , 73 , 74 , 78 , 80 ], and 10 studies were considered as mixed methods studies [ 50 , 51 , 53 , 54 , 58 , 64 , 70 , 72 , 77 , 79 ].…”

“…Studies were heterogenous in terms of intervention characteristics. A third of the included studies focused on communication and social networking technology [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 49 , 51 , 54 , 57 , 61 , 66 , 68 , 73 , 79 ], and 10 evaluated ICT training programs [ 55 , 56 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 64 , 69 , 70 , 72 , 74 ]. Interestingly, the more recently published studies that evaluated these ICT training programs incorporated the concept of “reverse mentoring” [ 59 , 70 , 72 ].…”

“…Only 2 of the 36 included studies highlighted a explicit primary intervention aim to increase social participation [ 64 , 67 ]. Nonetheless, numerous studies mentioned addressing other social outcomes, such as social isolation and loneliness [ 47 , 51 , 54 , 56 , 57 , 65 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 74 , 75 , 79 ]. Although some of the remaining studies stated non-social intervention aims, such as improving cognitive function or increasing comfort with technology, more than half of them did not explicitly state an intervention aim at all [ 45 , 49 , 50 , 52 , 53 , 55 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 66 , 68 , 77 ].…”

“…Different variables were used to assess the effects of technological interventions on social participation outcomes. Loneliness was the most frequently measured psychosocial outcome identified in quantitative and mixed methods studies [ 46 , 51 , 52 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 63 , 65 , 67 , 70 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 77 , 80 ], followed by perceived social support [ 56 , 63 , 73 , 74 , 80 ] and social isolation [ 50 , 63 , 70 , 74 ]. Interestingly, the variables of loneliness, social isolation, and (perceived) social support were not measured coherently.…”