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Nedeljko AM, Bogataj PDD, Perović APDBT, Kaučič APDBM. Digital literacy during the coronavirus pandemic in older adults: Literature Review and Research Agenda. IFAC-PAPERSONLINE 2022; 55:153-158. [PMID: 38620995 PMCID: PMC9764837 DOI: 10.1016/j.ifacol.2022.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Demographic change in the developed world is leading to a higher proportion of older adults and longer life expectancy. Measures to control the coronavirus disease have affected older adults the most. Social isolation and access to remote health services has been a problem for many people. We have used the method of scientific literature review. The selection of articles was made in accordance with the following inclusion criteria: accessibility, scientificity, content relevance and topicality. After selection, the results were analysed by qualitative content analysis. With the content analysis of twenty scientific articles, we gained an insight into digital literacy of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Three content categories were identified: (1) poor digital literacy of older adults, (2) inequality in ICT access, (3) use of ICT reduces the negative impact of social isolation. We note that there is a large digital divide in digital literacy and competences among older adults which expanded during the coronavirus disease pandemic. Several factors, including socio-economic status, internet access and the poor adaptation of ICT for older adults affect digital literacy. Rapid development of remote health and social care, poor digital literacy of older adults and the poor adaptation of ICT for older adults dictate that the problem must be tackled systemically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assist Mihael Nedeljko
- Alma Mater Europaea - ECM, Research Institute of Social Gerontology, Slovenska ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Prof Ddr David Bogataj
- Alma Mater Europaea - ECM, Research Institute of Social Gerontology, Slovenska ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
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Ngiam NHW, Yee WQ, Teo N, Yow KS, Soundararajan A, Lim JX, Lim HA, Tey A, Tang KWA, Tham CYX, Tan JPY, Lu SY, Yoon S, Ng KYY, Low LL. Building Digital Literacy in Older Adults of Low Socioeconomic Status in Singapore (Project Wire Up): Nonrandomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res 2022; 24:e40341. [PMID: 36459398 DOI: 10.2196/40341] [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: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In a rapidly digitalizing world, the inability of older adults to leverage digital technology has been associated with weaker social connections and poorer health outcomes. Despite the widespread digital adoption in Singapore, older adults, especially those of lower socioeconomic status (SES), still face difficulties in adopting information and communications technology and are typically digitally excluded. OBJECTIVE We aimed to examine the impact of the volunteer-led, one-on-one, and home-based digital literacy program on digital literacy and health-related outcomes such as self-reported loneliness, social connectedness, quality of life, and well-being for older adults of low SES. METHODS A nonrandomized controlled study was carried out in Singapore between July 2020 and November 2021 involving 138 digitally excluded community-dwelling older adults aged ≥55 years and of lower SES. Older adults awaiting participation in the program served as controls. Older adults under the intervention were equipped with a smartphone and cellular data, underwent fortnightly to monthly digital literacy training with volunteers to learn digital skills, and digitally connected to their existing social networks. Primary outcome was the improvement in self-reported digital literacy. Secondary outcomes included improvements in University of California, Los Angeles 3-item loneliness scale, Lubben Social Network Scale-6, EQ-5D-3L and EQ visual analogue scale scores, and Personal Wellbeing Score. RESULTS There were significant improvements in digital literacy scores in the intervention group as compared to controls (mean difference 2.28, 95% CI 1.37-3.20; P<.001). Through multiple linear regression analyses, this difference in digital literacy scores remained independently associated with group membership after adjusting for differences in baseline scores, age, gender, education, living arrangement, housing type, and baseline social connectivity and loneliness status. There was no statistically significant difference in University of California, Los Angeles 3-item loneliness scale, Lubben Social Network Scale-6, Personal Wellbeing Score, or EQ-5D Utility and visual analogue scale score. CONCLUSIONS This study adds to the growing research on digital inclusion by showing that a volunteer-led, one-on-one, and home-based digital literacy program contributed to increase digital literacy in older adults of low SES. Future studies should look into developing more older adult-friendly digital spaces and technology design to encourage continued digital adoption in older adults and, eventually, impact health-related outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nerice Heng Wen Ngiam
- TriGen - Trigenerational Homecare, Singapore, Singapore.,Population Health and Integrated Care Office, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Internal Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wan Qi Yee
- Population Health and Integrated Care Office, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nigel Teo
- Population Health and Integrated Care Office, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ka Shing Yow
- TriGen - Trigenerational Homecare, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Internal Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Amrish Soundararajan
- TriGen - Trigenerational Homecare, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Family Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jie Xin Lim
- TriGen - Trigenerational Homecare, Singapore, Singapore.,Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Haikel A Lim
- TriGen - Trigenerational Homecare, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Psychiatry, National Healthcare Group, Singapore, Singapore.,Medical Education Office, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Angeline Tey
- TriGen - Trigenerational Homecare, Singapore, Singapore.,Population Health and Integrated Care Office, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kai Wen Aaron Tang
- TriGen - Trigenerational Homecare, Singapore, Singapore.,Population Health and Integrated Care Office, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Psychiatry, National Healthcare Group, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Celine Yi Xin Tham
- TriGen - Trigenerational Homecare, Singapore, Singapore.,Medical Social Services, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jamaica Pei Ying Tan
- Population Health and Integrated Care Office, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Si Yinn Lu
- Research and Translational Innovation Office, SingHealth Community Hospitals, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sungwon Yoon
- Health Services and Systems Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,Centre for Population Health Research and Implementation, SingHealth Regional Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kennedy Yao Yi Ng
- TriGen - Trigenerational Homecare, Singapore, Singapore.,Population Health and Integrated Care Office, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.,Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lian Leng Low
- Population Health and Integrated Care Office, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.,Centre for Population Health Research and Implementation, SingHealth Regional Health System, Singapore, Singapore.,SingHealth Duke-NUS Department of Family Medicine, Singapore, Singapore.,Outram Community Hospital, SingHealth Community Hospitals, Singapore, Singapore
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Ma T, Zhang S, Zhu S, Ni J, Wu Q, Liu M. The new role of nursing in digital inclusion: Reflections on smartphone use and willingness to increase digital skills among Chinese older adults. Geriatr Nurs 2022; 48:118-126. [PMID: 36155310 DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study explores the willingness of older adults to use smartphones and improve their digital skills and encourages nursing to actively participate in bridging the digital divide. METHODS Subject analysis was used to conduct qualitative research, and 23 older adults were interviewed. RESULTS We identified four themes: (1) the current situation of smartphone use; (2) the digital dilemma of smartphone use; (3) social support for digital skills; and (4) the willingness to learn digital skills. Older adults in China are willing to accept and use smartphones for simple operations, and peer learning may be an effective way to improve their digital skills. CONCLUSION Community support is necessary to develop the digital skills of older adults with smartphones and reduce the digital divide to the greatest extent possible. Nursing may play a role in promoting digital inclusion for older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianjiao Ma
- School of Nursing, Jilin University, No. 965, Xinjiang Street, Chaoyang District, Changchun, Jilin 130012, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyu Zhang
- School of Journalism and Communication, Jilin University, No.2699, Qianjin Street, Chaoyang District, Changchun, Jilin 130012, People's Republic of China
| | - Siying Zhu
- School of Journalism and Communication, Jilin University, No.2699, Qianjin Street, Chaoyang District, Changchun, Jilin 130012, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingqi Ni
- School of Journalism and Communication, Jilin University, No.2699, Qianjin Street, Chaoyang District, Changchun, Jilin 130012, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiqi Wu
- School of Journalism and Communication, Jilin University, No.2699, Qianjin Street, Chaoyang District, Changchun, Jilin 130012, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingzheng Liu
- School of Journalism and Communication, Jilin University, No.2699, Qianjin Street, Chaoyang District, Changchun, Jilin 130012, People's Republic of China.
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