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Lydahl D. Good care and adverse effects: Exploring the use of social alarms in care for older people in Sweden. Health (London) 2024; 28:559-577. [PMID: 37391903 PMCID: PMC11149388 DOI: 10.1177/13634593231185260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
In Nordic countries, 'welfare technology' is a concept used increasingly by policymakers when discussing the promise of digitalisation in care for older people. In this paper, I draw on data from 14 qualitative ethnographic interviews with employees in municipal eldercare in Sweden, as well as observations carried out at a nursing home, to suggest the importance of studying how good care is enacted through welfare technology, whilst simultaneously attending to the adverse effects sometimes consequent from these practices. In this article, I explore what values are supported when doing care with welfare technology, and what values are neglected in this process. The theoretical starting point for this article takes its inspiration from recent discussions of care within Science and Technology Studies (STS). Employing a double vision of care, the article argues for the importance of understanding how good care is enacted with technology, while also attending to what these care practices exclude and neglect. Focusing on the use of social alarms, the article shows that when doing care with such technology, values such as independence, safety and some forms of togetherness and availability were enhanced; while other values such as other forms togetherness and availability, a stress-free working environment and functionality were neglected.
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Lee OE, Shin H. Social Workers' Perspectives on Socially Isolated Older Adults Living with a Robot Companion. JOURNAL OF GERONTOLOGICAL SOCIAL WORK 2024; 67:621-638. [PMID: 38643400 DOI: 10.1080/01634372.2024.2339974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Addressing depression and social isolation among solo-living older adults in South Korea requires a multi-faceted approach. This study aims to explore the advantages and obstacles of a robotic elder care program by analyzing social workers' viewpoints regarding interactions between older adults and a companion robot named Hyodol. Through the purposive sampling method, we conducted comprehensive interviews with 10 social workers who are pioneering the integration of robots in elder care. The study participants observed and compared the demographic characteristics of users and non-users, elucidated usage patterns, described the roles of robot companions, and shared remarkable instances. Overall, the experiences of these social workers underscored the positive influence of Hyodol in offering companionship, care, and emotional support, especially in circumstances where clients experienced isolation or lacked regular family interactions. In addition, social workers' perspectives hold significant value in comprehending the genuine effects of anthropomorphism - the inclination to attribute human-like qualities and emotions to robots. Our investigation revealed the existence of two distinct modes of personification among older adults, which we have labeled as "imagination" and "projection."
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Affiliation(s)
- Othelia EunKyoung Lee
- School of Social Work, UNC Charlotte College of Health and Human Services, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
| | - Heesun Shin
- Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
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3
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Gasull-Molinera V, Khan KS, Núñez Núñez M, Kouiti M. The impact of loneliness on mental and physical health outcomes: An umbrella review. Semergen 2024; 50:102261. [PMID: 38824784 DOI: 10.1016/j.semerg.2024.102261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Loneliness and related constructs associated with isolation are public health problems with increasing prevalence. The aim of this umbrella was to collate and grade evidence analyzing actual and subjective loneliness as a health risk factor. Following prospective registration, a systematic search was conducted in Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Sciences, psycoINFO and Cochrane Library until August 2023. Systematic reviews assessing the association between actual and subjective loneliness with adverse health outcomes were selected. Risk of bias was evaluated using AMSTAR-2 tool. Data were tabulated and synthesis was narrative. A total of 13 systematic reviews was selected (four included meta-analysis). The methodological quality was critically low in 10 reviews (76.92%) and low in 3 (23.08%). Results showed that loneliness was related to poor well-being and increase the risk of negative mental and physical health. The available data suggested but did not allow the confirmation of a causal association. Most constructs of loneliness seem to be related to mental and physical health conditions. A preventive strategy ought to be recommended, especially for vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - K S Khan
- Universidad de Granada, Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Granada, Spain; Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - M Núñez Núñez
- Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain; Biosanitary Research Institute (Ibs. Granada), 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - M Kouiti
- Universidad de Granada, Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Granada, Spain; Laboratory of Health Sciences and Technologies, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Hassan First University of Settat, Settat 26000, Morocco.
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4
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Xiao Z, Li J, Luo Y, Yang L, Zhang G, Cheng X, Bai Y. Social isolation and loneliness with risk of cardiometabolic multimorbidity: A prospective cohort study from UK Biobank. iScience 2024; 27:109109. [PMID: 38495817 PMCID: PMC10943429 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 resulted in an increased prevalence of social isolation and loneliness. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to test the association between social isolation/loneliness, multiple cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) and cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM). In the multivariable adjusted models, compared with the least isolated, the most isolated had independently associated with CMD (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.11) and CMM (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.36) in stage I, and CMM in stage II (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.23). Compared with those with the least loneliness, those who with most loneliness had about 20% increased risk of CMD and 29% increased risk of CMM in stage I. Those with the most loneliness were also significantly associated with increased CMM risk (HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.42) in stage II. This study revealed the associations of social isolation/loneliness with CMD and CMM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhilin Xiao
- Department of Geriatric Disease, Center of Coronary Circulation, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Geriatric Disease, Center of Coronary Circulation, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Changsha, China
- Department of Cardiology, The Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yi Luo
- Department of Geriatric Disease, Center of Coronary Circulation, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Department of Geriatric Disease, Center of Coronary Circulation, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Guogang Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xunjie Cheng
- Department of Geriatric Disease, Center of Coronary Circulation, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Yongping Bai
- Department of Geriatric Disease, Center of Coronary Circulation, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Gunnes M, Løe IC, Kalseth J. Exploring the impact of information and communication technologies on loneliness and social isolation in community-dwelling older adults: a scoping review of reviews. BMC Geriatr 2024; 24:215. [PMID: 38431561 PMCID: PMC10908002 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-04837-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recognizing the escalating public health concerns of loneliness and social isolation in aging populations, this study seeks to comprehensively explore the potential of information and communication technology (ICT)-based interventions to address these issues among older adults. This scoping review of reviews aims to map and synthesize existing evidence on the effectiveness and scope of ICT interventions targeting loneliness and social isolation in community-dwelling older adults, elucidating types of technology, impacts, facilitators, barriers, and research gaps. METHODS Following the Joanna Briggs Institute framework, we systematically searched eight diverse databases identifying relevant published reviews. We included English-written, peer-reviewed reviews of all types, with no limits regarding time of publication about ICTs targeting loneliness and/or social isolation for community-dwelling older adults. Eligible reviews were analysed and summarized, offering a holistic narrative of the reported types of ICTs and their impact, the identified facilitators and barriers influencing the implementation and adoption of ICT interventions, and the research gaps identified in the literature. RESULTS The review included 39 publications published between 2012 and 2024, spanning systematic, scoping, and reviews of reviews. Various ICTs were reported, primarily social media virtual communities, followed by video-mediated friendly visits, conversational agents, social robots, exergames and online gameplay. Predominantly positive impacts on mitigating social isolation and loneliness were evident for these ICTs, although methodological diversity and contradictory findings complicated definite conclusions. Facilitators and barriers encompassed individual competencies, access and usage, and intervention design and implementation. Research gaps involved targeting specific subgroups, exploring innovative technologies, incorporating diverse study designs, improving research methodologies, and addressing usability and accessibility. Future research should focus on identifying elderly individuals who can benefit the most from ICT use, exploring novel technologies, using a wider range of study designs, and enhancing usability and accessibility considerations. CONCLUSIONS This review sheds light on the diverse range of ICTs, their impact, and the facilitators and barriers associated with their use. Future investigations should prioritize refining outcome measures, addressing gender differences, and enhancing the usability and accessibility of interventions. The involvement of older adults in the design process and the exploration of technological training interventions hold promise in overcoming barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Gunnes
- Department of Health Research, SINTEF Digital, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Ida-Camilla Løe
- Department of Technology Management, SINTEF Digital, Steinkjer, Norway
| | - Jorid Kalseth
- Department of Health Research, SINTEF Digital, Trondheim, Norway
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Hughes G, Moore L, Hennessy M, Sandset T, Jentoft EE, Haldar M. What kind of a problem is loneliness? Representations of connectedness and participation from a study of telepresence technologies in the UK. Front Digit Health 2024; 6:1304085. [PMID: 38440196 PMCID: PMC10910053 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2024.1304085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Loneliness is represented in UK policy as a public health problem with consequences in terms of individual suffering, population burden and service use. However, loneliness is historically and culturally produced; manifestations of loneliness and social isolation also require social and cultural analysis. We explored meanings of loneliness and social isolation in the UK 2020-2022 and considered what the solutions of telepresence technologies reveal about the problems they are used to address. Through qualitative methods we traced the introduction and use of two telepresence technologies and representations of these, and other technologies, in policy and UK media. Our dataset comprises interviews, fieldnotes, policy documents, grey literature and newspaper articles. We found loneliness was represented as a problem of individual human connection and of collective participation in social life, with technology understood as having the potential to enhance and inhibit connections and participation. Technologically-mediated connections were frequently perceived as inferior to in-person contact, particularly in light of the enforced social isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. We argue that addressing loneliness requires attending to other, related, health and social problems and introducing technological solutions requires integration into the complex social and organisational dynamics that shape technology adoption. We conclude that loneliness is primarily understood as a painful lack of co-presence, no longer regarded as simply a subjective experience, but as a social and policy problem demanding resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Hughes
- School of Business, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy Moore
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Megan Hennessy
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Tony Sandset
- Centre for Sustainable Healthcare Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Elian E. Jentoft
- Centre for the Study of Digitalization of Public Services and Citizenship, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marit Haldar
- Centre for the Study of Digitalization of Public Services and Citizenship, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
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Tian YJA, Felber NA, Pageau F, Schwab DR, Wangmo T. Benefits and barriers associated with the use of smart home health technologies in the care of older persons: a systematic review. BMC Geriatr 2024; 24:152. [PMID: 38355464 PMCID: PMC10865618 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-04702-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Smart home health technologies (SHHTs) have been discussed in the frame of caregiving to enable aging-in-place and independence. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines to gather the up-to-date knowledge on the benefits and barriers of using SHHTs in the care of older persons from the perspective of older persons and their caregivers. METHODS Ten electronic databases were reviewed for empirical peer-reviewed literature published from 01.01.2000 to 31.12.2021 in English, German, and French reporting on experimental, qualitative, quantitative, and other empirical study designs were included. Included studies contained user-feedback from older persons over 65 years of age or their caregivers (formal and informal). We used an extraction document to collect relevant data from all included studies and applied narrative synthesis to analyze data related to benefits and barriers of SHHTs. RESULTS 163 empirical peer-reviewed articles were included, the majority of those published between 2014 and 2021. Five first-order categories of benefits and five of barriers were found with individual sub-themes. SHHTs could be useful in the care context where continuous monitoring is needed. They improve self-management and independent living of older persons. Barriers currently exist with respect to ease of usability, social acceptance, and cost. CONCLUSIONS SHHTs could be useful in the care context but are not without concerns. Researchers and policy makers can use the information as a starting point to better understand how the roles and outcomes of SHHTs could be improved for the care of older persons, while caregivers of older adults could use our findings to comprehend the scope of SHHTs and to decide when and where such technology could best address their individual family needs. Limitations lie in the possible exclusion of relevant articles published outside the inclusion criteria as well as the fact that due to digital divide, our review represents opinions of those who could and wanted to participate in the included 163 studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION This review has been registered as PROSPERO CRD42021248543. A protocol was completed in March 2021 with the PRISMA-P guidance. We have extended the review period from 2000 to 2020 since the registration of the protocol to 2000-2021.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Félix Pageau
- Centre d'excellence sur le vieillissement de Québec, VITAM- Research Center on Sustainable Health, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Delphine Roulet Schwab
- School of nursing sciences, La Source, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tenzin Wangmo
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, 4056, Switzerland
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Tomioka K, Shima M, Saeki K. Longitudinal association between frequency of Internet use and incident disability among community-dwelling older people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Environ Health Prev Med 2024; 29:13. [PMID: 38447990 PMCID: PMC10937244 DOI: 10.1265/ehpm.23-00207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is limited evidence of a protective effect of Internet use for incident disability (ID) during the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated the association between frequency of Internet use (FIU) and ID among community-dwelling older people. METHODS We used longitudinal data from the 2019 and 2022 surveys, including 7,913 residents aged ≥65 without disability at baseline. ID was defined as a new public long-term care insurance certification. FIU at baseline was categorized into daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, and non-users. Changes in FIU before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were categorized into continuing frequent (i.e., daily or weekly), continuing moderate (i.e., monthly or yearly), increase in frequency, from non-users to users, decrease in frequency, from users to non-users, and continuing non-users. Covariates included age, gender, education, perceived economic situation, family structure, body mass index, chronic medical conditions, dietary variety, working status, walking time, and cognitive functioning. Multivariable Poisson regression models were used to estimate adjusted cumulative incidence ratio (aCIR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for ID. RESULTS During the 3-year follow-up, 132 of 4,453 people aged 65-74, 595 of 3,460 people aged ≥75, 287 of 3,660 men, and 440 of 4,253 women developed ID. For FIU at baseline, among people aged ≥75 or men, there was a dose-response relationship between more frequent Internet use at baseline and a lower risk of ID (P-trend was 0.005 in people aged ≥75, and <0.001 in men). Compared to non-users, daily users had a significantly lower risk of ID [aCIR (95% CI) = 0.69 (0.53-0.90) in people aged ≥75, and 0.49 (0.34-0.70) in men]. For changes in FIU, "continuing frequent" and "from non-users to users" had a lower risk of ID than continuing non-users. After stratified analyses, "continuing frequent" remained a significant association in people aged ≥75 or in men, while "from non-users to users" had a significant association in those with daily walking time <30 minutes. CONCLUSIONS Although FIU may act as a marker of disability, or indicate individual adaptability, our findings suggest that Internet use may be a potential preventive measure against ID in community-dwelling older people when social distancing is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimiko Tomioka
- Nara Prefectural Health Research Center, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Midori Shima
- Nara Prefectural Health Research Center, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Keigo Saeki
- Nara Prefectural Health Research Center, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
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Eltaybani S, Igarashi A, Cal A, Lai CKY, Carrasco C, Sari DW, Cho E, Haugan G, Bravo JD, Abouzeid NA, Wachholz PA, Isaramalai SA, Dawood SS, Pappas Y, Abd El Moneam AAEG, Rodríguez AB, Alqahtani BA, Pereira CLN, Jenssen CRS, Yu DSF, Ahmed FR, Mendes FRP, Randhawa G, Ahmed HAESH, Suzuki H, Prambudi H, Avci IA, Waluyo I, Nurbaeti I, Vseteckova J, Horne JK, Liu JY, Ingstad K, Kashiwabara K, Grant L, Abd El Moniem MM, Sakka M, Abdelgawad ME, Subu MA, Kentzer N, Almadani NA, Tomas-Carus P, Rodrigues Garcia RCM, Indarwati R, Maneerat S, Chien WT, Amamiya Y, Cavalcanti YW, Yamamoto-Mitani N. Long-term care facilities' response to the COVID-19 pandemic: An international, cross-sectional survey. J Adv Nurs 2024; 80:350-365. [PMID: 37452500 DOI: 10.1111/jan.15785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To (i) assess the adherence of long-term care (LTC) facilities to the COVID-19 prevention and control recommendations, (ii) identify predictors of this adherence and (iii) examine the association between the adherence level and the impact of the pandemic on selected unfavourable conditions. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. METHODS Managers (n = 212) and staff (n = 2143) of LTC facilities (n = 223) in 13 countries/regions (Brazil, Egypt, England, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Thailand and Turkey) evaluated the adherence of LTC facilities to COVID-19 prevention and control recommendations and the impact of the pandemic on unfavourable conditions related to staff, residents and residents' families. The characteristics of participants and LTC facilities were also gathered. Data were collected from April to October 2021. The study was reported following the STROBE guidelines. RESULTS The adherence was significantly higher among facilities with more pre-pandemic in-service education on infection control and easier access to information early in the pandemic. Residents' feelings of loneliness and feeling down were the most affected conditions by the pandemic. More psychological support to residents was associated with fewer residents' aggressive behaviours, and more psychological support to staff was associated with less work-life imbalance. CONCLUSIONS Pre-pandemic preparedness significantly shaped LTC facilities' response to the pandemic. Adequate psychological support to residents and staff might help mitigate the negative impacts of infection outbreaks. IMPACT This is the first study to comprehensively examine the adherence of LTC facilities to COVID-19 prevention and control recommendations. The results demonstrated that the adherence level was significantly related to pre-pandemic preparedness and that adequate psychological support to staff and residents was significantly associated with less negative impacts of the pandemic on LTC facilities' staff and residents. The results would help LTC facilities prepare for and respond to future infection outbreaks. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION No Patient or Public Contribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameh Eltaybani
- Global Nursing Research Center, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayumi Igarashi
- Department of Gerontological Home Care and Long-term Care Nursing, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayse Cal
- Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Ankara Medipol University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Claudia K Y Lai
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Cristina Carrasco
- Neuroimmunophysiology and Chrononutrition Research Group, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | | | - Eunhee Cho
- Mo-Im Kim Nursing Research Institute, Yonsei University, College of Nursing, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Gørill Haugan
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Public Health Nursing, Trondheim, Norway
- Nord University, Faculty of Nursing and Health Science, Levanger, Norway
| | - Jorge D Bravo
- Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre(CHRC), Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - Nesreen A Abouzeid
- Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, College of Nursing, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | | | | | - Shaimaa Samir Dawood
- Gerontological nursing department, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Yannis Pappas
- Institute for Health Research, University of Bedfordshire, luton, UK
| | | | - Ana Beatriz Rodríguez
- Neuroimmunophysiology and Chrononutrition Research Group, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | | | - Catarina Lino Neto Pereira
- Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | | | - Doris S F Yu
- School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
| | - Fatma Refaat Ahmed
- Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Felismina Rosa P Mendes
- Departamento de Enfermagem, Escola Superior de Enfermagem São João de Deus, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - Gurch Randhawa
- Institute for Health Research, University of Bedfordshire, luton, UK
| | | | - Haruno Suzuki
- Department of Gerontological Home Care and Long-term Care Nursing, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hery Prambudi
- An Nasher Institute of Healh Sciences, Cirebon, Cirebon West Java, Indonesia
| | - Ilknur Aydin Avci
- Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Imam Waluyo
- Padma Kumara Foundation and Consultant International, Collaboration Physiotherapy School YAB, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Irma Nurbaeti
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Jitka Vseteckova
- Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | | | - Justina Yw Liu
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Kari Ingstad
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Nord University, Levanger, Norway
| | | | - Louise Grant
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of Bedfordshire, Luton, UK
| | | | - Mariko Sakka
- Department of Gerontological Home Care and Long-term Care Nursing, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | | | - Muhammad Arsyad Subu
- University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Universitas Binawan, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Nichola Kentzer
- Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Noura A Almadani
- Community health nursing department, College of Nursing, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pablo Tomas-Carus
- Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | | | - Retno Indarwati
- Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Sonthaya Maneerat
- Prapokklao Nursing College, Faculty of Nursing, Praboromarajchanok Institute, Chantaburi, Thailand
| | - Wai Tong Chien
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Yuko Amamiya
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Healthcare Sciences, Chiba Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Chiba, Japan
| | | | - Noriko Yamamoto-Mitani
- Department of Gerontological Home Care and Long-term Care Nursing, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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10
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Fotteler ML, Kocar TD, Dallmeier D, Kohn B, Mayer S, Waibel AK, Swoboda W, Denkinger M. Use and benefit of information, communication, and assistive technology among community-dwelling older adults - a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2004. [PMID: 37833689 PMCID: PMC10576310 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16926-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Technology can support healthy aging and empower older adults to live independently. However, technology adoption by older adults, particularly assistive technology (AT), is limited and little is known about the types of AT used among older adults. This study explored the use of key information and communication technologies (ICT) and AT among community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 65. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 65 in southern Germany using a paper-based questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions on the three domains sociodemographic aspects, health status, and technology use. Technology use was considered separately for key ICT (smartphone, computer/laptop, and tablet) and a range of 31 different AT. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, univariate analyses, and Bernoulli Naïve Bayes modelling. RESULTS The questionnaire was answered by 616 participants (response rate: 24.64%). ICT were used by 497 (80.68%) participants and were associated with lower age, higher level of education, living together with someone, availability of internet connection, higher interest in technology, and better health status (p < .05). No association was found with sex and size of the hometown. The most frequently owned AT were a landline phone, a body scale, and a blood pressure monitor. Several AT related to functionality, (instrumental) activities of daily living- (IADL), and morbidity were used more frequently among non-ICT users compared to ICT-users: senior mobile phone (19.33% vs. 3.22%), in-house emergency call (13.45% vs. 1.01%), hearing aid (26.89% vs. 16.7%), personal lift (7.56% vs. 1.61%), electronic stand-up aid (4.2% vs. 0%). Those with higher interest in technology reported higher levels of benefit from technology use. CONCLUSIONS Despite the benefits older adults can gain from technology, its use remains low, especially among those with multimorbidity. Particularly newer, more innovative and (I)ADL-related AT appear underutilized. Considering the potential challenges in providing adequate care in the future, it may be crucial to support the use of these specific AT among older and frailer populations. To focus scientific and societal work, AT with a high impact on autonomy ((I)ADL/disease-related) should be distinguished from devices with a low impact on autonomy (household-/ comfort-related).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina L Fotteler
- DigiHealth Institute, Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Wileystrasse 1, 89231, Neu-Ulm, Germany.
- Institute for Geriatric Research, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Thomas D Kocar
- Institute for Geriatric Research, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
- Agaplesion Bethesda Clinic Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Dhayana Dallmeier
- Agaplesion Bethesda Clinic Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, USA
- Geriatric Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Brigitte Kohn
- Agaplesion Bethesda Clinic Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Geriatric Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sarah Mayer
- Agaplesion Bethesda Clinic Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Geriatric Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Waibel
- DigiHealth Institute, Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Wileystrasse 1, 89231, Neu-Ulm, Germany
| | - Walter Swoboda
- DigiHealth Institute, Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Wileystrasse 1, 89231, Neu-Ulm, Germany
| | - Michael Denkinger
- Institute for Geriatric Research, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
- Agaplesion Bethesda Clinic Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Geriatric Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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11
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Jøranson N, Zechner M, Korkmaz Yaylagul N, Efthymiou A, Silva R. Experienced barriers in the use of ICT for social interaction in older adults ageing in place: a qualitative systematic review protocol (SYSR-D-22-00848). Syst Rev 2023; 12:192. [PMID: 37817279 PMCID: PMC10563227 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-023-02332-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several information and communication technologies (ICT) have been developed to enhance social connectedness of older adults aging in place, although they are not accessible for all. Barriers in using ICT might for example relate to health issues, sensory loss, lack of technical skills, or reluctance to use technologies. Though knowledge on these barriers is crucial for the development and implementation of ICT for older adults, no systematic review was found on this subject. The proposed qualitative systematic review aims to explore barriers experienced by older adults aging in place in using ICT for social interaction. METHODS The review will be conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology. Databases for search will include MEDLINE (via PubMed), CINAHL (via EBSCO), and Web of Science (ISI), among others. Included studies focus on older adults ageing in place 60 years or older. Pairs of authors will independently, by following agreed guidelines, assess the eligibility of studies, and extract data. The testing of eligibility criteria and screening of titles, abstracts, and full texts will be performed. The findings will describe for example populations, context, culture, and the phenomena of interest. Qualitative research findings will, where possible, be pooled by using JBI SUMARI for the meta-aggregation approach. DISCUSSION The mapping of published studies has the potential to identify research gaps in the existing literature, which again may inform developers and stakeholders in designing more user-friendly and adaptive ICT solutions for older people ageing in place. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION CRD42022370044.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Jøranson
- Faculty of Health Studies, VID Specialized University, Vinderen, PO Box 184, N-3019, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Minna Zechner
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, P.O. Box 54 (Unioninkatu 37), 00014, Finland
| | - Nilufer Korkmaz Yaylagul
- Faculty of Health Science, Gerontology Department, Akdeniz University, Dumlupınar Boulevard, 07058, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Areti Efthymiou
- Quality of Life Lab, Department of Social Work, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Estavromenos Heraklion, Crete, PC 71410, Greece
| | - Rosa Silva
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Nursing School of Porto, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
- Portugal Centre for Evidence Based Practice, A JBI Centre of Excellence (PCEBP), 3000-232, Coimbra, Portugal
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12
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Kanbay M, Tanriover C, Copur S, Peltek IB, Mutlu A, Mallamaci F, Zoccali C. Social isolation and loneliness: Undervalued risk factors for disease states and mortality. Eur J Clin Invest 2023; 53:e14032. [PMID: 37218451 DOI: 10.1111/eci.14032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Social isolation and loneliness are two common but undervalued conditions associated with a poor quality of life, decreased overall health and mortality. In this review, we aim to discuss the health consequences of social isolation and loneliness. We first provide the potential causes of these two conditions. Then, we explain the pathophysiological processes underlying the effects of social isolation and loneliness in disease states. Afterwards, we explain the important associations between these conditions and different non-communicable diseases, as well as the impact of social isolation and loneliness on health-related behaviours. Finally, we discuss the current and novel potential management strategies for these conditions. Healthcare professionals who attend to socially isolated and/or lonely patients should be fully competent in these conditions and assess their patients thoroughly to detect and properly understand the effects of isolation and loneliness. Patients should be offered education and treatment alternatives through shared decision-making. Future studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms better and to improve the treatment strategies for both social isolation and loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Kanbay
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Cem Tanriover
- Department of Medicine, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sidar Copur
- Department of Medicine, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ibrahim B Peltek
- Department of Medicine, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ali Mutlu
- Department of Medicine, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Francesca Mallamaci
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit Azienda Ospedaliera "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli" & CNR-IFC, Institute of Clinical Physiology, Research Unit of Clinical Epidemiology and Physiopathology of Renal Diseases and Hypertension of Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Carmine Zoccali
- Renal Research Institute, New York City, New York, USA
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics (Biogem), Ariano Irpino, Italy and Associazione Ipertensione Nefrologia Trapianto Renal (IPNET), c/o Nefrologia, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano, Reggio Calabria, Italy
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13
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Fiorini L, D'Onofrio G, Lorusso L, Russo S, Ciccone F, Giuliani F, Pihl T, Rovini E, Cavallo F. Stay cognitively and socially active with me: a six-month study of a socialization service. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2023; 2023:1-4. [PMID: 38082847 DOI: 10.1109/embc40787.2023.10340527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
50% of older adults over 60 years old are experiencing social isolation. Assistive technology can provide solutions that promote the connection with their families and other stakeholders. In this context, this paper presents a pilot study of a socialization service with 3 functions tested by 10 older adults and 10 informal caregivers. After a short training, participants were requested to use the system in their daily life for six months. At the beginning (T0) and at the end (T6) of the trial, qualitative structured questionnaires were addressed to investigate training, usability, acceptance (i.e. trust, anxiety, facilitating condition, enjoyment, and attitude), and user experience. Collected results underline good training, good usability of the system (SUS>68), and user experience for both groups. Furthermore, the values associated with acceptance domains are higher than 3.5 for intention to use and trust, at the end of the tests. We can observe a decreasing trend in stress associated with technology use. Informal caregivers have a higher evaluation of the system novelty with respect to older adults. Overall, qualitative feedback collected remarked the good impression of this service among the study's participants. Finally, this study represents a promising starting point for better investigating technology-based services that can improve the quality of life of older people living alone providing them with tools that can decrease their social isolation.Clinical Relevance- The results suggest the potential use of this type of service for promoting socialization among older adults thus reducing their loneliness.
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14
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Rees J, Liu W, Ourselin S, Shi Y, Probst F, Antonelli M, Tinker A, Matcham F. Understanding the psychological experiences of loneliness in later life: qualitative protocol to inform technology development. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e072420. [PMID: 37336536 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Loneliness is a public health issue impacting the health and well-being of older adults. This protocol focuses on understanding the psychological experiences of loneliness in later life to inform technology development as part of the 'Design for health ageing: a smart system to detect loneliness in older people' (DELONELINESS) study. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Data will be collected from semi-structured interviews with up to 60 people over the age of 65 on their experiences of loneliness and preferences for sensor-based technologies. The interviews will be audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using a thematic codebook approach on NVivo software. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study has received ethical approval by Research Ethics Committee's at King's College London (reference number: LRS/DP-21/22-33376) and the University of Sussex (reference number: ER/JH878/1). All participants will be required to provide informed consent. Results will be used to inform technology development within the DELONELINESS study and will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications and conferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Rees
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Engineering, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sebastien Ourselin
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Yu Shi
- School of Design, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Freya Probst
- Department of Engineering, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Michela Antonelli
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anthea Tinker
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Faith Matcham
- School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Falmer, UK
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15
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Tónay G, Pilissy T, Tóth A, Fazekas G. Methods to assess the effectiveness and acceptance of information and communication technology-based assistive technology for older adults: a scoping review. Int J Rehabil Res 2023; 46:113-125. [PMID: 36867011 DOI: 10.1097/mrr.0000000000000571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
An aging society is a growing challenge for families, social and rehabilitation service providers, and economies. Information and communication technology-based assistive technology can bolster the independence of older adults (65 years and above) and reduce their burden on caregivers. Currently, there is no unified methodology to assess the effectiveness and acceptance of these technologies. The present study undertakes a scoping review to (1) identify and characterize the methods for assessing the acceptability and usability of information and communication technology-based assistive technologies, (2) explore the advantages and disadvantages of the assessment methods, (3) determine the possibilities of combining the assessment methods and (4) define the most commonly used assessment method and set of outcome measures. The literature was searched in MEDLINE, Scopus, IEEE Cochrane and Web of Science bibliographic databases using the keywords defined by reviewers for articles in English published between 2011 and 2021. Of the 1696 matches, 31 met the inclusion criteria. It was found that a combination of different assessment methods was common in outcome measurements. Of the 31 studies, assessment methods were combined in 21 studies and multiple questionnaires were used in 11 studies. The most common technique of outcome measurement was the use of questionnaires (81%), conducting interviews (48%) and recording usability-performance measures (39%). The advantages and disadvantages of the assessment methods could not be determined in the selected studies in this scoping review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Tónay
- Department of Rehabilitation post Stroke, National Institute of Locomotor Diseases and Disabilities/National Institute for Medical Rehabilitation
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Szent János Hospital
| | - Tamás Pilissy
- Department of Rehabilitation post Stroke, National Institute of Locomotor Diseases and Disabilities/National Institute for Medical Rehabilitation
- Department of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest
| | - András Tóth
- Department of Rehabilitation post Stroke, National Institute of Locomotor Diseases and Disabilities/National Institute for Medical Rehabilitation
- Department of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest
| | - Gábor Fazekas
- Department of Rehabilitation post Stroke, National Institute of Locomotor Diseases and Disabilities/National Institute for Medical Rehabilitation
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Albert Szent Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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Kalantari S, Xu TB, Mostafavi A, Kim B, Dilanchian A, Lee A, Boot WR, Czaja SJ. Using Immersive Virtual Reality to Enhance Social Interaction Among Older Adults: A Cross-Site Investigation. Innov Aging 2023; 7:igad031. [PMID: 37213325 PMCID: PMC10198775 DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igad031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives Virtual reality (VR) applications are increasingly being targeted toward older adults as a means to maintain physical and cognitive skills and to connect with others, especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 era. Our knowledge about how older adults interact with VR is limited, however, since this is an emerging area and the related research literature is still rather slim. The current study focused specifically on older adults' reactions to a social-VR environment, examining participant's views about the possibility of meaningful interactions in this format, the impacts of social-VR immersion on mood and attitude, and features of the VR environment that affected these outcomes. Research Design and Methods The researchers designed a novel social-VR environment with features intended to prompt conversation and collaborative problem-solving among older adults. Participants were recruited from 3 diverse geographic locations (Tallahassee, FL; Ithaca, NY; and New York City, NY), and were randomly assigned to a partner from one of the other sites for social-VR interaction. The sample consisted of 36 individuals aged 60 and older. Results Reactions to the social VR were quite positive. Older adults reported high levels of engagement in the environment and perceived the social VR to be enjoyable and usable. Perceived spatial presence was found to be a central driver of positive outcomes. A majority of the participants indicated a willingness to reconnect with their VR partner in the future. The data also identified important areas for improvement that were of concern to older adults, such as the use of more realistic avatars, larger controllers more suited to aging hands, and more time for training/familiarization. Discussion and Implications Overall, these findings suggest that VR can be an effective format for social engagement among older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saleh Kalantari
- Human Centered Design, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Tong Bill Xu
- Human Centered Design, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Armin Mostafavi
- Human Centered Design, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Benjamin Kim
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Center on Aging and Behavioral Research, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Andrew Dilanchian
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Angella Lee
- Human Centered Design, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Walter R Boot
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Sara J Czaja
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Center on Aging and Behavioral Research, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, New York, USA
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Trainum K, Tunis R, Xie B, Hauser E. Robots in Assisted Living Facilities: Scoping Review. JMIR Aging 2023; 6:e42652. [PMID: 36877560 PMCID: PMC10028516 DOI: 10.2196/42652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Various technological interventions have been proposed and studied to address the growing demand for care of residents in assisted living facilities, in which a preexisting shortage of professional caregivers has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Care robots are one such intervention with the potential to improve both the care of older adults and the work life of their professional caregivers. However, concerns about efficacy, ethics, and best practices in the applications of robotic technologies in care settings remain. OBJECTIVE This scoping review aimed to examine the literature on robots used in assisted living facilities and identify gaps in the literature to guide future research. METHODS On February 12, 2022, following the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) protocol, we searched PubMed, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, PsycINFO, IEEE Xplore digital library, and ACM Digital Library using predetermined search terms. Publications were included if they were written in English and focused on the use of robotics in assisted living facilities. Publications were excluded if they did not provide peer-reviewed empirical data, focused on user needs, or developed an instrument to study human-robot interaction. The study findings were then summarized, coded, and analyzed using the Patterns, Advances, Gaps, Evidence for practice, and Research recommendations framework. RESULTS The final sample included 73 publications from 69 unique studies on the use of robots in assisted living facilities. The findings of studies on older adults were mixed, with some studies suggesting positive impacts of robots, some expressing concerns about robots and barriers to their use, and others being inconclusive. Although many therapeutic benefits of care robots have been identified, methodological limitations have weakened the internal and external validity of the findings of these studies. Few studies (18/69, 26%) considered the context of care: most studies (48/69, 70%) collected data only on recipients of care, 15 studies collected data on staff, and 3 studies collected data on relatives or visitors. Theory-driven, longitudinal, and large sample size study designs were rare. Across the authors' disciplines, a lack of consistency in methodological quality and reporting makes it difficult to synthesize and assess research on care robotics. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study call for more systematic research on the feasibility and efficacy of robots in assisted living facilities. In particular, there is a dearth of research on how robots may change geriatric care and the work environment within assisted living facilities. To maximize the benefits and minimize the consequences for older adults and caregivers, future research will require interdisciplinary collaboration among health sciences, computer science, and engineering as well as agreement on methodological standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Trainum
- School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Rachel Tunis
- School of Information, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Bo Xie
- School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- School of Information, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Elliott Hauser
- School of Information, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
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Naudé B, Rigaud AS, Kamali L, Pino M. Barriers and Enablers for the Use of Digital Interactive Television in Nursing Home Settings: An Interview Case Study with Older Adults and Professionals. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1813. [PMID: 36767181 PMCID: PMC9914084 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Increasingly, public health programs are recommending the use of information and communication technologies to address the psychosocial needs of Older Adults (OAs). Recently, several applications that allow access to communication and stimulation functionalities using digital interactive television (DiTV) have been developed. The use of the television interface to access digital services seems to help meet several accessibility and usability needs of OAs. However, its use entails other challenges related to different dimensions (organizational, technological, ethical, etc.). This study aims to identify the factors that enable or hinder the use of DiTV by OAs living in geriatric institutions. A qualitative interview case study was conducted in three French geriatric facilities. A total of 25 semi-structured interviews were carried out with residents and care professionals, between February and April 2022, to identify enablers and barriers to DiTV use. Data were processed using a thematic deductive analysis inspired by a multidimensional Health Technology Assessment model. The analysis showed that DiTV use may be limited by organizational (e.g., workload), technological (e.g., ergonomic issues), human (e.g., health issues), ethical (e.g., privacy), and safety factors (e.g., frustration due to technical problems). A summary of these factors and five recommendations for DiTV implementation in geriatric settings are presented in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bérangère Naudé
- Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Cité, Maladie d’Alzheimer, F-75013 Paris, France
- Broca Living Lab, CEN STIMCO, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Anne-Sophie Rigaud
- Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Cité, Maladie d’Alzheimer, F-75013 Paris, France
- Broca Living Lab, CEN STIMCO, F-75013 Paris, France
- Service Gériatrie 1&2, Centre Mémoire de Ressources et Recherches Ile de France-Broca, AP-HP, Hôpital Broca, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Laila Kamali
- School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons, D02 YN77 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Maribel Pino
- Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Cité, Maladie d’Alzheimer, F-75013 Paris, France
- Broca Living Lab, CEN STIMCO, F-75013 Paris, France
- Service Gériatrie 1&2, Centre Mémoire de Ressources et Recherches Ile de France-Broca, AP-HP, Hôpital Broca, F-75013 Paris, France
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González DA, Tosin MHDS, Goetz CG. The plight of loneliness in Parkinson's disease: New opportunities. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2022; 105:145-148. [PMID: 36333238 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2022.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The human phenomenon of loneliness has been increasing in prominence across societies, with precipitous increase since COVID-19, and individuals with Parkinson's disease are not unscathed. Loneliness is of clinical relevance as it is cross-sectionally related to, and longitudinally precedes, mortality and other health risks, including worse motor, cognitive, and behavioral-psychological functioning. Relatively few studies have evaluated loneliness, or associated social experiences, in the context of Parkinson's, but the existing data is provocative. The authors advocate for clinicians' awareness and researchers' investigational focus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christopher G Goetz
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, United States
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Margaritini A, Benadduci M, Amabili G, Bonfigli AR, Luzi R, Wac K, Nap HH, Maranesi E, Bevilacqua R. The social robot companion to support homecare nurses: The guardian study protocol. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2022; 30:101024. [PMID: 36340699 PMCID: PMC9634274 DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2022.101024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The reduction of the older people's self-sufficiency and the increase in the need for help in daily activities has a significant impact on the person and their caregivers. The primary objective of the GUARDIAN project is to enable the older people to live as long as possible at home, by means of the GUARDIAN socio-technical platform. Methods and Analysis: The GUARDIAN platform consists of two connected apps: one dedicated to the caregiver (Caregiver App) and one dedicated to the older people (Senior App), plus a robot (Misty II), to provide coaching in an engaging modality. The study is designed as a technical feasibility pilot to test the GUARDIAN system on a group of older people. Discussions The proposed solution reflects the real wants and needs of the older people person, increasing the acceptability of the system. In addition, the GUARDIAN project has the potential to have distinguished two phases of testing, so that changes can be made to the platform between the first and second phases, using data, both qualitative and quantitative, collected after the first phase. Ethics and dissemination The study was approved by the Ethic Committee of the IRCCS INRCA. It was recorded in ClinicalTrials.gov on the number NCT05284292.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Katarzyna Wac
- Quality of Life Technologies Lab, University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Henk Herman Nap
- National Expertise Centre Long-Term Care, Vilans, the Netherlands
| | - Elvira Maranesi
- Scientific Direction, IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy,Corresponding author.
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Diehl C, Tavares R, Abreu T, Almeida AMP, Silva TE, Santinha G, Rocha NP, Seidel K, MacLachlan M, Silva AG, Ribeiro O. Perceptions on Extending the Use of Technology after the COVID-19 Pandemic Resolves: A Qualitative Study with Older Adults. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14152. [PMID: 36361030 PMCID: PMC9655749 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic of the last two years has affected the lives of many individuals, especially the most vulnerable and at-risk population groups, e.g., older adults. While social distancing and isolation are shown to be effective at decreasing the transmission of the virus, these actions have also increased loneliness and social isolation. To combat social distancing from family and friends, older adults have turned to technology for help. In the health sector, these individuals also had a variety of options that strengthened eHealth care services. This study analyzed the technologies used during the COVID-19 pandemic by a group of older people, as well as explored their expectations of use after the pandemic period. Qualitative and ethnographic interviews were conducted with 10 Portuguese older adults, and data were collected over a period of seven months between 2020 and 2021. The research demonstrated that the use of current and new technologies in the post-pandemic future is likely to be related to overcoming: (i) insecurity regarding privacy issues; (ii) difficulties in using technologies due to the level of use of digital technology; and (iii) the human distancing and impersonal consequences of using these technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceci Diehl
- Digital Media and Interaction Research Centre (DigiMedia), Department of Communication and Art, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Rita Tavares
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS@RISE), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Taiane Abreu
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS@RISE), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana Margarida Pisco Almeida
- Digital Media and Interaction Research Centre (DigiMedia), Department of Communication and Art, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Telmo Eduardo Silva
- Digital Media and Interaction Research Centre (DigiMedia), Department of Communication and Art, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Gonçalo Santinha
- Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies (GOVCOPP), Department of Social, Political and Territorial Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Nelson Pacheco Rocha
- Institute of Electronics and Informatics Engineering of Aveiro (IEETA), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Katja Seidel
- ALL Institute, Department of Anthropology, Maynooth University, W23 F2H6 Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Mac MacLachlan
- Assisting Living and Learning Institute (ALL Institute), Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, W23 F2H6 Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Anabela G. Silva
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS@RISE), School of Health Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Oscar Ribeiro
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS@RISE), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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22
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Site A, Vasudevan S, Afolaranmi SO, Martinez Lastra JL, Nurmi J, Lohan ES. A Machine-Learning-Based Analysis of the Relationships between Loneliness Metrics and Mobility Patterns for Elderly. SENSORS 2022; 22:s22134946. [PMID: 35808440 PMCID: PMC9269697 DOI: 10.3390/s22134946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Loneliness and social isolation are subjective measures associated with the feeling of discomfort and distress. Various factors associated with the feeling of loneliness or social isolation are: the built environment, long-term illnesses, the presence of disabilities or health problems, etc. One of the most important aspect which could impact feelings of loneliness is mobility. In this paper, we present a machine-learning based approach to classify the user loneliness levels using their indoor and outdoor mobility patterns. User mobility data has been collected based on indoor and outdoor sensors carried on by volunteers frequenting an elderly nursing house in Tampere region, Finland. The data was collected using Pozyx sensor for indoor data and Pico minifinder sensor for outdoor data. Mobility patterns such as the distance traveled indoors and outdoors, indoor and outdoor estimated speed, and frequently visited clusters were the most relevant features for classifying the user’s perceived loneliness levels.Three types of data used for classification task were indoor data, outdoor data and combined indoor-outdoor data. Indoor data consisted of indoor mobility data and statistical features from accelerometer data, outdoor data consisted of outdoor mobility data and other parameters such as speed recorded from sensors and course of a person whereas combined indoor-outdoor data had common mobility features from both indoor and outdoor data. We found that the machine-learning model based on XGBoost algorithm achieved the highest performance with accuracy between 90% and 98% for indoor, outdoor, and combined indoor-outdoor data. We also found that Lubben-scale based labelling of perceived loneliness works better for both indoor and outdoor data, whereas UCLA scale-based labelling works better with combined indoor-outdoor data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Site
- Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (J.N.); (E.S.L.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Saigopal Vasudevan
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (S.V.); (S.O.A.); (J.L.M.L.)
| | - Samuel Olaiya Afolaranmi
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (S.V.); (S.O.A.); (J.L.M.L.)
| | - Jose L. Martinez Lastra
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (S.V.); (S.O.A.); (J.L.M.L.)
| | - Jari Nurmi
- Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (J.N.); (E.S.L.)
| | - Elena Simona Lohan
- Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (J.N.); (E.S.L.)
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23
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Rigaud AS, Li W, Pino M. Telepresence robot intervention to reduce loneliness and social isolation in older adults living at home (Project DOMIROB): Protocol for a clinical non-randomized study (Preprint). JMIR Res Protoc 2022; 11:e40528. [DOI: 10.2196/40528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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24
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Use of Digital Tools, Social Isolation, and Lockdown in People 80 Years and Older Living at Home. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19052908. [PMID: 35270600 PMCID: PMC8910393 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19052908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 crisis and associated lockdowns have exposed the extent of social isolation among older adults (OAs). Currently, the French government and medical, social, and charitable organizations are working to find means of limiting the multiple psychological and physical consequences of social isolation on the health of OAs. One proposal is to help the elderly become more comfortable using digital tools (DTs). However, the ability of DTs to reduce social isolation is disputed in the literature. This study aimed to collect the views of OAs on social isolation; to identify the determinants of the use or not of DTs, in particular in the context of a lockdown; and the role of DTs in the strategy to reduce social isolation. This qualitative study was based on 27 semi-structured individual interviews with OAs ≥ 80 years, in Côte-d’Or and Haute-Marne (French departments), from March to May 2021. A total of 96.3% of participants had already owned one or more DTs (mobile phone, tablet, or computer) for several years. The lockdown had not prompted the population to equip themselves more. The most common reason for using DTs was to maintain contact with relatives, and 63% of the participants said that DTs have a positive impact in reducing social isolation. However, there is a significant need for assistance and training in their use, especially since many services are now offered online. The participants suggested that the key to minimizing social isolation remained the maintenance of social contacts. In conclusion, DTs appear to be useful for helping the elderly maintain social links with relatives and, therefore, have a strategic place in the reduction of social isolation. However, these tools should not replace in-person interactions.
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Site A, Lohan ES, Jolanki O, Valkama O, Hernandez RR, Latikka R, Alekseeva D, Vasudevan S, Afolaranmi S, Ometov A, Oksanen A, Martinez Lastra J, Nurmi J, Fernandez FN. Managing Perceived Loneliness and Social-Isolation Levels for Older Adults: A Survey with Focus on Wearables-Based Solutions. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:s22031108. [PMID: 35161852 PMCID: PMC8839843 DOI: 10.3390/s22031108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
As an inevitable process, the number of older adults is increasing in many countries worldwide. Two of the main problems that society is being confronted with more and more, in this respect, are the inter-related aspects of feelings of loneliness and social isolation among older adults. In particular, the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and its associated restrictions have exacerbated the loneliness and social-isolation problems. This paper is first and foremost a comprehensive survey of loneliness monitoring and management solutions, from the multidisciplinary perspective of technology, gerontology, socio-psychology, and urban built environment. In addition, our paper also investigates machine learning-based technological solutions with wearable-sensor data, suitable to measure, monitor, manage, and/or diminish the levels of loneliness and social isolation, when one also considers the constraints and characteristics coming from social science, gerontology, and architecture/urban built environments points of view. Compared to the existing state of the art, our work is unique from the cross-disciplinary point of view, because our authors' team combines the expertise from four distinct domains, i.e., gerontology, social psychology, architecture, and wireless technology in addressing the two inter-related problems of loneliness and social isolation in older adults. This work combines a cross-disciplinary survey of the literature in the four aforementioned domains with a proposed wearable-based technological solution, introduced first as a generic framework and, then, exemplified through a simple proof of concept with dummy data. As the main findings, we provide a comprehensive view on challenges and solutions in utilizing various technologies, particularly those carried by users, also known as wearables, to measure, manage, and/or diminish the social isolation and the perceived loneliness among older adults. In addition, we also summarize the identified solutions which can be used for measuring and monitoring various loneliness- and social isolation-related metrics, and we present and validate, through a simple proof-of-concept mechanism, an approach based on machine learning for predicting and estimating loneliness levels. Open research issues in this field are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Site
- Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (D.A.); (A.O.); (J.N.)
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (E.S.L.)
| | - Elena Simona Lohan
- Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (D.A.); (A.O.); (J.N.)
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (E.S.L.)
| | - Outi Jolanki
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (O.J.); (O.V.); (R.L.); (A.O.)
| | - Outi Valkama
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (O.J.); (O.V.); (R.L.); (A.O.)
| | - Rosana Rubio Hernandez
- Faculty of Built Environment, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (R.R.H.); (F.N.F.)
| | - Rita Latikka
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (O.J.); (O.V.); (R.L.); (A.O.)
| | - Daria Alekseeva
- Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (D.A.); (A.O.); (J.N.)
| | - Saigopal Vasudevan
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (S.V.); (S.A.); (J.M.L.)
| | - Samuel Afolaranmi
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (S.V.); (S.A.); (J.M.L.)
| | - Aleksandr Ometov
- Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (D.A.); (A.O.); (J.N.)
| | - Atte Oksanen
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (O.J.); (O.V.); (R.L.); (A.O.)
| | - Jose Martinez Lastra
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (S.V.); (S.A.); (J.M.L.)
| | - Jari Nurmi
- Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (D.A.); (A.O.); (J.N.)
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26
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Dosso JA, Kailley JN, Guerra GK, Robillard JM. Older adult perspectives on emotion and stigma in social robots. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1051750. [PMID: 36713914 PMCID: PMC9878396 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1051750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Social robot adoption by older adults and people living with dementia is limited by several barriers, including a lack of emotional alignment with social robots and perceptions of stigma around social robot use. The goal of this work was to address these barriers by engaging end-users in discussions on factors that could affect emotional connection to a social robot and considerations around using a social robot in public. METHODS We conducted seven 90-min online workshops with older adults with (n = 2) and without dementia (n = 25) and care partners (n = 17). Older adults with and without dementia were in their 50s - 80s, and care partners were in their 30s - 70s. Seven older adults, seven care partners, and one older adult with dementia indicated that they had used a robot before. Online workshops had 4-8 participants each, and began with video demonstrations of pet-like robot MiRo and tabletop robot T-Top, as well as a live demonstration of MiRo. Participants completed the Multi-Dimensional Robot Attitude Scale before the workshops and the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale and two Zoom polls during the workshops. The audio and chat responses from the workshops were transcribed verbatim and content analysis was performed on the transcripts. RESULTS Our analysis revealed three broad themes and 10 subthemes. In their discussions on features and applications, participants highlighted preferred forms of communication with a robot and ways in which a robot could support connection between people. For example, robots could improve the quality of communication between care partners and the person for whom they care. While many agreed that a social robot should match their level of emotion and interactivity, participants had different preferences for social robot emotional range and display features. Finally, participants discussed considerations around showing a robot to other people; several participants suggested that a robot could help raise awareness of ageing and dementia while others shared concerns about stigma and attracting negative attention from an audience. DISCUSSION Incorporating these findings into the design and implementation of social robots will result in devices that are better-suited to the needs of older adults, people living with dementia, and care partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill A Dosso
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,British Columbia Children's and Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jaya N Kailley
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,British Columbia Children's and Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Gabriella K Guerra
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,British Columbia Children's and Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Julie M Robillard
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,British Columbia Children's and Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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27
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Noble LW, Olson E, Woodall T, Jones J, Smythe T, Whitlock C, Silver M, Hewitt L, Lanou AJ. The Social Bridging Project: Intergenerational Phone-Based Connections With Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Gerontol Geriatr Med 2022; 8:23337214221083473. [PMID: 35392162 PMCID: PMC8984602 DOI: 10.1177/23337214221083473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Millions of Americans aged 65+ are socially isolated and millions more report feeling lonely. Social isolation and loneliness in older adults were compounded by stay-at-home orders and other COVID-19 prevention measures. Although many Americans experienced no difficulties transitioning to the use of electronic devices as their primary means of communication and connection, some older adults were not similarly able to espouse this shift. Our aim was to reduce the impact of social isolation on older adults, increase their comfort in expressing feelings of loneliness, and assist them in acquiring technology skills and accessing telehealth and community supports. Participants received wellness calls for conversation, resource access and technology-based support. Most participants reported decreased loneliness and increased connectedness after the calls; half reported increased ease in expressing their feelings. Programs that provide phone-based support for older adults may reduce loneliness and increase social connectedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise W. Noble
- NC Center for Health and Wellness, University of North Carolina Asheville, Asheville, NC, USA
| | - Emma Olson
- NC Center for Health and Wellness, University of North Carolina Asheville and University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Public Health | NC Center for Health and Wellness, Asheville, NC, USA
| | - Tasha Woodall
- MAHEC Center for Healthy Aging, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, UNC School of Medicine, Asheville, NC, USA
| | - Jeff Jones
- NC Center for Health and Wellness, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA|
| | - Thomas Smythe
- NC Center for Health and Wellness, University of North Carolina Asheville, Columbus, IN, USA
| | - Cathy Whitlock
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of North Carolina Asheville, Asheville, NC, USA
| | | | - Lyndi Hewitt
- University of North Carolina Asheville, Asheville, NC, USA
| | - Amy J. Lanou
- NC Center for Health and Wellness, University of North Carolina Asheville and University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Public Health | NC Center for Health and Wellness, Asheville, NC, USA
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