Internet use and cognitive frailty in older adults: a large-scale multidimensional approach

Abstract

Although research on sociodemographic correlates of internet use in older adults without and with pronounced cognitive impairment is already quite extensive, much less is known about the relationship between cognitive frailty (CF) and this behaviour. As CF is associated to multidimensional frailty aspects, this study explored the relationship between internet use and CF, operationalised as Subjective Cognitive Impairment, in older adults by means of a comprehensive explanatory model including sociodemographic factors and multiple frailty measures. The dataset included a sample of community-dwelling 60 + older adults that were included in the Belgian Ageing Studies (BAS) and that completed survey questions on (i) internet use frequency and (ii) internet activities. Multidimensional frailty was measured with the CFAI-Plus. The analysis comprised a structural equation modelling (SEM) procedure. Internet use was frequent; however, it became less frequent with higher CF. Moreover, the latter used less tablets as compared to the no-low CF group. Navigating the web, sharing email and online banking were the most frequently reported activities. Tele-communicating with Skype, online shopping and using e-government services were the least frequent. Age, female gender, lower income and living with a partner were also negatively associated with internet use. To conclude, CF, along with other frailty and sociodemographic factors, was negatively related to internet use in older adults. Future research should focus, amongst others, on the dynamic processes underlying internet use in the population of older adults affected by CF.

Validation of the test for finding word retrieval deficits (WoFi) in detecting Alzheimer's disease in a naturalistic clinical setting

“…Tele-neurocognitive assessment enables frequent, less time-consuming and more cost-effective monitoring of cognition within the frames of longitudinal studies and mental telehealth services (Sorinmade et al 2020 ; Karamanis et al 2022 ). Older people are more familiar with telephone compared to the more complex videoconferencing, may have low technical readiness and trust in technologies and might therefore face barriers to the effective use of digital health tools (Lattie et al; Dequanter et al 2022 ; Mahmoud et al 2022 ). Thus, WoFi and WoFi-brief may be valuable for assessing cognitively frail older adults who live in remote communities or in middle- and low-income countries (Lattie et al; Mahmoud et al 2022 ) or cannot easily access mental and cognitive healthcare services.…”

Mapping the landscape: A bibliometric analysis of information and communication technology adoption by older adults with cognitive frailty or impairment

“…25 Those with CF use the Internet, ICT and social media less due to inadequate exposure or difficulty in adopting new technologies. 25 Meanwhile, those with CI perceive they have limited functional abilities, and this reduces their motivation to integrate and utilize ICT, and they lack the interest to learn. 26 Some sociodemographic variables, such as age, sex, education and living arrangements, about the use of ICT among those with CI are the same as with older people in general.…”

“…Nevertheless, there is still a lack of comprehensive information regarding the accessibility and adoption of health‐related ICT among older adults with CF or MCI. The evidence shows that older adults with CF are less likely to use the Internet, with the most favored activities being website navigation, email and online banking 25 . Those with CF use the Internet, ICT and social media less due to inadequate exposure or difficulty in adopting new technologies 25 .…”

“…The evidence shows that older adults with CF are less likely to use the Internet, with the most favored activities being website navigation, email and online banking 25 . Those with CF use the Internet, ICT and social media less due to inadequate exposure or difficulty in adopting new technologies 25 . Meanwhile, those with CI perceive they have limited functional abilities, and this reduces their motivation to integrate and utilize ICT, and they lack the interest to learn 26 .…”