Overcoming the Challenges of Technology in Gerontological Research

Abstract

Many older adults express a lack of confidence in using technology and this can become a barrier to participating in technology heavy research. This presentation will introduce the face-to-face digital communication, electronic medication adherence tracking, and online recruitment technology used in the I-CONECT study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02871921). In particular, we will demonstrate how the project has simplified enterprise video conferencing for in-home use, removed obstacles related to remote hardware troubleshooting, and further discuss how it has been received by older adults who have participated thus far. Finally we will cover particular hurdles related to I-CONECT (e.g., targeting social isolated older adults, aiming to recruit 50% of participants being African American older subjects living in the Detroit Metropolitan area). Our experience indicates that such high tech gerontological research is feasible given a creative and solution-focused research approaches and multi-disciplinary team.

The Internet-Based Conversational Engagement Clinical Trial (I-CONECT) in Socially Isolated Adults 75+ Years Old: Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol and COVID-19 Related Study Modifications

“…A restart button was placed highly visibly which is important when malfunctions occur and restarting is needed. All video and audio are recorded for analyses with participants' consent ( 33 , 34 ).…”

“…A restart button was placed highly visibly which is important when malfunctions occur and restarting is needed. All video and audio are recorded for analyses with participants' consent (33,34). cognitive functions through this intervention is partly mediated by improved psychological well-being.…”

The Tele‐STELLA protocol: Telehealth‐based support for families living with later‐stage Alzheimer's disease

“…Care Partners who do not have a device to access the study, or adequate internet capability, may borrow a Chromebook (Google, 2021). The Chromebooks have a simplified user interface that allows access to the Tele-STELLA study only.Chromebooks will be managed by the technology team who has the capability to track the location of the Chromebooks and decommission them if they are lost(Dodge et al, 2019;Lindsey et al, 2019;Nguyen et al, 2020). If all efforts to establish a videoconferencing link fail, Care Partners may access the Webex link via phone.…”