JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Social integration and mental health are vital aspects of healthy aging. However, close to half of Canadians over the age of 80 report feeling socially isolated. Research has shown that social isolation leads to increased mortality and morbidity, and various interventions have been studied to alleviate loneliness among older adults. The current study combines a number of different components that have been examined in previous research, but have not been tested jointly for their efficacy in reducing social isolation and depression in older adults. Specifically, we will be testing an intervention that provides one-on-one coaching, is intergenerational (pairs an older adult with a university students), provides both educational and socialization experiences, and increases technology literacy.

Objective:

This paper describes the protocol of a randomized, mixed methods study that will take place in Ontario, Canada evaluating the effectiveness and experiences of intergenerational programming supported by the enTECH Computer Club (a student-run volunteer organization) via one-on-one programming which teaches older adults how to use technology to support staying connected with others, and reduce depression.

Methods:

This study is a randomized, mixed methods, feasibility trial with two conditions. Older adults assigned to the intervention condition will receive one hour of weekly technological assistance. In this hour, with the assistance of an enTECH volunteer, they will send an email to a designated family member. This programming will be carried out by experienced enTECH volunteers who have been trained in teaching older adults how to use technology. Participants in the control condition will not receive any programming. There will be two categories of assessment: the first category of assessments will consist of measures that are administered to both group at the start of the study and at the end of the study (pre-post). The second category of assessments will be administered weekly to both groups. The primary outcomes are social isolation, measured by the UCLA Loneliness Scale, and depression, measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, all of which are measured weekly. Secondary outcomes include quality-of-life, as assessed by the Older People’s Quality of Life - Brief, and technological literacy, evaluated by the Computer Proficiency Questionnaire-12, all of which will be administered before and after the intervention. Finally, semi-structured interviews will be completed before and after the intervention to assess participants’ social connectedness, familiarity with technology, and their experience with the enTECH programming. The study will be completed in a long-term care facility in Southern Ontario, Canada.

Results:

Recruitment for the study started in November 2019, and ended in February 2020. The intervention began February 2020, but was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The trial will be restarted when safe as per provincial and national guidelines.

Conclusions:

Information and communications technology interventions have shown varying results in reducing social isolation and improving mental health amongst older adults. Few studies have examined the role of one-on-one student programming in addition to technology education. Data from this intervention may have the potential to provide evidence for other groups to roll out similar interventions in their respective communities.