Older Adults Using Technology for Meaningful Activities During COVID-19: An Analysis Through the Lens of Self-Determination Theory

Restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected people's opportunities to engage in activities that are meaningful to their lives. In response to these constraints, many people, including older adults, turned to digital technologies as alternative ways to pursue meaningful activities. These technology-mediated activities, however, presented new challenges for older adults' everyday use of technology. In this paper, we investigate how older adults used digital technologies for meaningful activities during COVID-19 restrictions. We conducted in-depth interviews with 40 older adults and analyzed the interview data through the lens of self-determination theory (SDT). Our analysis shows that using digital technologies for meaningful activities can both support and undermine older people's three basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. We argue that future technologies should be designed to empower older adults' content creation, engagement in personal interests, exploration of technology, effortful communication, and participation in beneficent activities. © 2023 ACM.

The relationship between corona anxiety and daily memory in the elderly: The mediating role of anxiety sensitivity

The decrease of memory abilities is one of the main problems in the elderly exacerbated by psychological factors such as anxiety. Therefore, the present study was to investigate the relationship between Corona anxiety and daily memory in the elderly through the mediating role of anxiety sensitivity. This was a descriptive-correlational research of path analysis kind. The statistical population of the study included all the education retirees over 60 years old living in Shiraz, Iran, 250 of whom were selected using convenience sampling. In this study, Alipour's Corona anxiety, Sunderland's daily memory and Floyd's anxiety sensitivity questionnaires were filled out online by the participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS-26 software and Lisrel-8.32. The results of path analysis demonstrated that there is a negative direct relationship between Corona anxiety and daily memory, a positive direct relationship between Corona anxiety and anxiety sensitivity, and a negative direct relationship between anxiety sensitivity and daily memory. Corona anxiety also had an indirect and significant relationship with daily memory through the mediating role of anxiety sensitivity. According to the results, anxiety caused by the outbreak of Corona disease can affect memory function in the elderly. Hence, in addition to physical health, providing mental health of the elderly seems to be crucial as well in pandemic conditions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Importance of meaningful engagement: how and why older adults volunteer in uncertain times

PurposeMany older adults engage in volunteer activities, drawing meaning and purpose through such efforts. Social distancing restrictions, put in place during Covid-19 surges to reduce the risk of transmission, disrupted older adult volunteers' lives and volunteer experiences. Social distancing measures provide a unique opportunity to explore what happened when the choices around pausing or stopping volunteering were not entirely within the control of older adults. This paper aims to explore the experiences of older adult volunteers as they navigated uncertainties and made difficult decisions around balancing their safety and their desire to continue volunteering.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted interviews with 26 community-dwelling older adults, age 50+, who had engaged in volunteer activities for at least 1 h a week prior to the start of the pandemic. The interviews were conducted on the phone or via Zoom. The authors used thematic analysis to help us analyze the data and identify patterns from participants' experiences.FindingsDespite the risk presented by Covid-19, most participants volunteered during the pandemic. They continued some or all of their previous activities with safety-related adjustments, with some seeking new or different opportunities. Participants' discussions highlight the challenges of volunteering during the pandemic and the importance of engagement to their resiliency and subjective well-being.Originality/valueThis paper provides original contributions to understanding how and why older adults volunteered during the Covid-19 pandemic. The social distancing measures provide a novel opportunity to enrich our understanding of the meaningfulness and value of volunteerism to older adults' lives and subjective well-being.

[Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults With Preoperative Knee Osteoarthritis].

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis is prevalent in older adults worldwide. Quality of life was negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. PURPOSE: This study was designed to examine osteoarthritis severity and health-related quality of life (QOL) in older adults with knee osteoarthritis before total knee replacement during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify the related predictors of QOL. METHODS: This cross-sectional correlation study involved convenience sampling in the orthopedic ward of a regional teaching hospital in central Taiwan from June 2020 to June 2021 using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index and the SF-36v2 Health Survey. The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis, independent samples t test, and one-way analysis of variance to determine correlations among demographic variables, osteoarthritis severity, and QOL. The predictors of QOL were examined using stepwise multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 60 older adults diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis were sampled. The average age was 70 years and the average osteoarthritis severity score was 70.45. Being male, having comorbidities, and having a relatively high level of monthly disposable income were associated with poorer QOL. Moreover, more severe knee pain, stiffness, and physical dysfunction were associated with better psychological QOL. CONCLUSIONS / IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the severity of knee osteoarthritis affects preoperative quality of life in older adults. Clinicians should detect signs of pain and physical dysfunction in these patients in advance and intervene in a timely manner to improve their QOL before surgery.

Technology Deployment for Social Connection in Residential Aged Care: Care and Technology Providers' Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Information and communication technologies are being used for the social connection of people living in residential aged care. However, in HCI research concerning technology use in aged care, the perspectives of care and technology providers have received limited attention. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 aged care workers and technology providers to investigate the challenges and opportunities of deploying technologies in aged care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings highlighted that technologies such as videoconferencing and smart displays connected residents with family and friends, kept families informed and reassured, and were used in small groups to meet individual needs. However, limitations in video calling, staff fatigue, volunteer availability, and infrastructural resources presented barriers to technology deployment. Future use of technology for social connection in aged care requires careful facilitation from staff, better resourcing and infrastructural support, collaborations with volunteers, and more attention to individual needs. © 2023 Owner/Author.

Media Consumption and COVID-19-Related Precautionary Behaviors During the Early Pandemic: Survey Study of Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, media sources dedicated significant time and resources to improve knowledge of COVID-19 precautionary behaviors (eg, wearing a mask). Many older adults report using the television, radio, print newspapers, or web-based sources to get information on political news, yet little is known about whether consuming news in the early phase of the pandemic led to behavior change, particularly in older adults. OBJECTIVE: The goals of this study were to determine (1) whether dosage of news consumption on the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with COVID-19 precautionary behaviors; (2) whether being an ever-user of social media was associated with engagement in COVID-19 precautionary behaviors; and (3) among social media users, whether change in social media use during the early stages of the pandemic was associated with engagement in COVID-19 precautionary behaviors. METHODS: Data were obtained from a University of Florida-administered study conducted in May and June of 2020. Linear regression models were used to assess the association between traditional news and social media use on COVID-19 precautionary behaviors (eg, mask wearing, hand washing, and social distancing behaviors). Analyses were adjusted for demographic characteristics, including age, sex, marital status, and education level. RESULTS: In a sample of 1082 older adults (mean age 73, IQR 68-78 years; 615/1082, 56.8% female), reporting 0 and <1 hour per day of media consumption, relative to >3 hours per day, was associated with lower engagement in COVID-19 precautionary behaviors in models adjusted for demographic characteristics (ß=-2.00; P<.001 and ß=-.41; P=.01, respectively). In addition, increasing social media use (relative to unchanged use) was associated with engagement in more COVID-19 precautionary behaviors (ß=.70, P<.001). No associations were found between being an ever-user of social media and engaging in COVID-19 precautionary behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated an association between higher media consumption and greater engagement in COVID-19 precautionary behaviors in older adults. These findings suggest that media can be effectively used as a public health tool for communication of prevention strategies and best practices during future health threats, even among populations who are historically less engaged in certain types of media.

Learning digital skills online: empowering older adults through one-to-one, online digital training provision.

Introduction: Digital exclusion, through lack of access and poor digital skills, can have an adverse impact on daily living. Not only did the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically impact the necessity of technology in our daily lives, but also reduced the availability of digital skills programmes. This study aimed to explore perceived facilitators and barriers of a digital skills programme that was delivered remotely (online) and to reflect on this form of training as a possible alternative to traditional face-to-face models. Methods: Individual interviews were carried out with programme participants and the programme instructor. Results: Two themes were generated from this data: (a) Creating a unique learning environment; and (b) Encouraging further learning. Discussion: Barriers to digital delivery were evident, however, the individual and personalized delivery empowered participants within their own learning, supporting individuals to learn skills relevant to them and to continue their digital learning journey.

Older Adults' Perspectives of Physical Distancing and the Community Center

The purpose of this study was to describe older adults' perceptions of loneliness, quality of life and connection to their community center during physical distancing to inform classes and events during COVID-19. A descriptive, mixed methods study using online and telephone surveys was conducted with 265 older adults in a major Canadian city. Older adults reported a lower quality of life and community connection and a greater sense of loneliness, however resilience emerged as a strong theme. Participants identified regular physical exercise, connection to others through technology and a philosophical approach to events and life as ways of coping with physical distancing. Community centers need to actively continue to innovate with technology, classes and events and provide regular, supportive communication with members during COVID-19 and beyond.

Health Disparities in Oral Health

The world is becoming more diverse as the population of older adults continues to increase. According to the CDC, approximately 36% of the population belongs to a racial or ethnic minority group. Older adults are living longer and are expected to comprise an estimated 24% of the population by 2060. The older population is more likely to experience greater health challenges that include oral complications. Oral diseases such as tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease, dry mouth, oral cancer and precancer, as well as chronic diseases are the most common. While there has been significant improvement in life expectancy, oral health, and overall health in the United States, there is a greater prevalence of oral disease and health disparities in minority and poor populations. Social determinants of health such as education, income, race, and access to care are contributing factors that are related to these health disparities among older adults. African Americans and other older adult people of color are disproportionately affected. Health literacy, dental coverage, and living conditions are other health disparities that contribute to the oral health of older adults. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.

Impact of COVID-19 state-wide lockdown on older adult presentations to Queensland emergency departments.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of the COVID-19 state-wide lockdown on ED presentations for older adults in Queensland, Australia. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study pertaining to adults aged 70+ years who presented to Queensland public hospital EDs across three separate time periods; 11 March to 30 June 2018 and 2019 (pre-pandemic average), 2020 (COVID-19 state-wide lockdown) and 2021 (post-state-wide lockdown). The primary outcome was change in presentation rates to ED. Secondary outcomes included change in triage category rates, length of stay (LOS), diagnosis and disposition. RESULTS: There was 380 854 older adult presentations. During the COVID-19 state-wide lockdown, ED presentation rates decreased by 12.5% (incidence rate ratio 0.875 [95% confidence interval 0.867-0.883]). All triage category presentation rates decreased, as did ED LOS and reasons for presentation, except sepsis and disorders of the nervous system. In the post-state-wide lockdown period a 22% (incidence rate ratio 1.22 [95% confidence interval 1.21-1.23]) increase in the presentation rate was observed and presentations in all triage categories increased. ED LOS increased to longer than pre-pandemic (P < 0.001). Respiratory presentations increased by 346%. Patients who 'did not wait' increased by 212% and ED mortality rose by 42% compared to during the lockdown. CONCLUSION: There was a significant decrease in presentation rates to EDs during the COVID-19 state-wide lockdown for the older population, followed by an increase in presentation rates, longer ED LOS, and an increased ED mortality rate, in the post-state-wide lockdown period. It is important to ensure older adults continue to seek appropriate, timely medical care, during a pandemic.

Older Adult Residents in Cohousing Communities: Impact and Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

This cross-sectional study explored the experiences of older adults in cohousing communities in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cohousing- an intentionally designed collaborative housing community- provides opportunities for social support. Restrictions due to the pandemic may be associated with less opportunities for social and physical connectedness. Most participants did not feel lonely or left out but did feel isolated. Feeling lonely or left out were associated with poor health status, living alone, being single, and having less contact outside of the community. It was unclear if feeling isolated was a result of or was intensified due to the pandemic.

Lifestyles of highly active older adults before and during the covid-19 pandemic: A qualitative study based on the socio-ecological model

The purpose of this study was to explore the motivation of highly physically active older adults based on the socio-ecological model, both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were aged 65 or older, engaged in at least 150 minutes of self-identified moderate to vigorous physical activity (PA) per week, and did not report any significant chronic conditions or cognitive impairment that would limit a participant's engagement in PA. Data were collected from January to March 2020 using in-person, one-on-one interviews (N = 19). The follow-up data were collected by e-mail in January 2021. Participants were asked via e-mail questions regarding changes in PA since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Individual traits are the primary motivational factors for PA. Highly physically active older adults had access to and utilized resources for PA and had social circles with other physically active older adults. While the COVID-19 pandemic had affected PA, overall participants tried to maintain their PA. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Caregiver Involvement and Concerns with Care of Residents of Assisted Living before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Family/friend caregivers play an essential role in promoting the physical and mental health of older adults in need of care - especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and especially in assisted living (AL) homes, where resident care needs are similarly complex as in long-term care homes but fewer staffing resources and services are available. However, little research is available on caregiver involvement and concerns with care of AL residents prior to and during waves 1 and 2 of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study addressed this important knowledge gap. METHODS: This prospective cohort study used baseline and follow-up online surveys with primary caregivers to AL residents in Western Canada who were 65 years or older and had lived in the AL home for at least 3 months before Mar 1, 2020. Surveys assessed the following outcomes in the 3 months prior to and during waves 1 and 2 of the pandemic: sociodemographics, 5 ways of visiting or communicating with residents, involvement in 16 care tasks, concerns with 9 resident physical/mental health conditions, perceived lack of resident access to 7 care services, and whether caregivers felt well informed and involved with resident care. RESULTS: Based on 386 caregiver responses, in-person visits dropped significantly in wave 1 of the pandemic and so did caregiver involvement in nearly all care tasks. While these rates increased in wave 2, most did not return to pre-pandemic levels. Correspondingly, caregiver concerns (already high before the pandemic) substantially increased in wave 1 and stayed high in wave 2. These were particularly elevated among caregivers who did not feel well informed/involved with resident care. CONCLUSIONS: Restricted in-person visiting disrupted resident care and was associated with worse perceptions of resident health and well-being. Continued caregiver involvement in resident care and communication with caregivers even during lockdowns is key to mitigating these issues.

Senior Women's Dance: From Pleasure to Emancipation.

The aim of this paper is to capture older adult women's experience of dance. To this purpose, a qualitative research study was carried out with members of the 'Gracje' dance group. The study used Jürgen Habermas's theory of communicative action as its theoretical underpinnings. The focus was on the models of action and validity claims expressed in language (narrative). In this theoretical framework, dancing activity has been shown as promoting not only physical health and mental wellbeing but also social involvement. Our study has found that, in and through dance, the older adults primarily realised their claims to pleasure, attractiveness, health and emancipation. This has considerably improved their bodily capacity and increased their self-esteem. However, what the older adults themselves find most important is that the realisation of these claims beneficially affects their interactions in family and neighbourly communities and facilitates their engagement in volunteer activities, helping people at risk of exclusion due to age and/or disability.

The coronavirus anxiety in the elderly: The role of coping styles with stress and meta-worry

Coronavirus symptoms have more severe physical and psychological clinical manifestations in the elderly. Accordingly, the elderly seem to be one of the main groups at risk for Coronavirus disease. The aim of this study was to predict Coronavirus anxiety based on coping styles with stress and meta-worry. The research design was correlational. The statistical population included all the elderly living in Ahvaz, among whom 300 were selected as the study sample using online convenience sampling method. The research instruments included Alizadeh et al.'s Corona Anxiety, Lazarus and Falkman's Coping Styles, and Wells's meta-worry Inventory. Used to analyze the data was a multiple regression method. The results indicated that problem-oriented coping style (r = -0.401) had a negative and significant relationship with corona anxiety in the elderly and emotion-centered coping style (r = 0.281) and meta-worry (r = 0.429) have a positive and significant relationship with corona anxiety (P < 0.01). Besides, the variables of problem-oriented coping style, emotion-centered coping style and meta-worry were able to predict 31.5% of the changes in corona anxiety in the elderly, which the share of meta-worry was more than other variables (P < 0.01). Considering the capability of coping style and meta-worry in predicting Coronavirus anxiety in the elderly, training programs can be designed and represented through virtual workshops to increase problem-oriented coping style and to decrease emotion-centered coping style and meta-worry, in order to reduce Coronavirus anxiety. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Are you OK, Boomer? Intensification of ageism and intergenerational tensions on social media amid COVID-19

Social media is a useful tool for connecting with family, friends and others while physically distancing and self-isolating due to COVID-19. Simultaneously, it is being used for purposes of expressing antagonistic stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination against older adults. This commentary draws on social media trending topics (e.g., "OK, Boomer," "Boomer Remover") to demonstrate how generalizations regarding chronological age and COVID-19 age-related biomedical risks have: (a) exacerbated ageism on social media, and (b) further exposed ongoing tensions between so-called "Millennial" and "Baby Boomer" generations in ways that are targeted against the older generation and serve in favor of younger ones. The implications of this ageist discourse in and on society are discussed. Anti-ageism efforts by social media users and organizations are highlighted. In this state of emergency, we must bring awareness to and resist ageism that depersonalizes and dehumanizes older adults and undervalues later life during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

A descriptive exploration of younger and older adults' experiences of Integrative Medical Group Visits for Long COVID

Introduction: Long COVID disproportionately affects older adults. Individuals with Long COVID (LC) often experience symptoms that severely impact quality of life, and treatment approaches are still evolving. The Integrative Medical Group Visit (IMGV) model is an evidence-based approach that may be useful to treat patients with LC;however, there is limited evidence describing the experience and/or feasibility of using IMGV for LC treatment, especially among the older adult population. The purpose of this study is to describe older and younger adults' experiences of both having LC and participating in a virtually delivered IMGV for LC. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of qualitative data from a parent study examining the experiences of participants in a virtually delivered IMGV for patients with LC. Patients participated in semi-structured interviews before and after 8 weekly IMGV sessions. Thematic analysis was used to analyze interview data. Results: Overall, 21 pre-interviews and 17 post-interviews were collected. Thematic analysis of patient interviews by age group resulted in three themes that each contained similarities and differences between the younger and older adult participants. These themes included: (1) experiences of LC (2) feelings about the future (3) experiences of the pilot IMGV on LC. Conclusion: This study provides critical context for clinicians who treat older adults with LC. Results support virtually delivered IMGVs as a potentially feasible option for both older and younger adults who want to apply an integrative approach to their LC treatment. Findings from this study will inform future research on IMGV for LC treatment. © 2023

Aging and covid-19: Lessons learned

Aging continues irrespective of event, location, and time;it is a process that does not stop or pause. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the community of older adults as profoundly as any other community. However, communities are not homogenous and older adults as a community are different in their own ways (e.g., digital immigrant baby boomers who are generally not as tech-savvy as digital native millennials (Gen Y) and zoomers (Gen Z);generally have a higher risk of morbidity and mortality, lower physical strength and mobility, and greater vulnerability to public health crises as compared to their younger counterparts). As COVID-19 becomes endemic, it is an opportune time to reflect on the lessons learned from COVID-19 for healthy and seamless aging. This article sheds light on such lessons (i.e., implications for preparedness management and opportunity leveraging) emerging out of the latest articles published during COVID-19 in the current issue of Activities, Adaptation & Aging: Dignified and Purposeful Living for Older Adults. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

The worldwide ageism crisis

Ageism is a worldwide crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated ageism toward older adults with hate speech, intergenerational resentment, and human rights violations. This article provides an overview of the interdisciplinary and international theoretical and applied research literature in three subareas: intergenerational attitudes and relations, psychological and physical effects of ageism on older adults, and reducing ageism. Cross-cutting themes are the need to (1) consider positive (including seemingly "positive") and negative views, treatment, and experiences of older adults, (2) expand the study of diverse populations including by age and country as well as intersectionality of ageism and other isms (e.g., ableism, classism, heterosexism, racism, sexism), (3) expand the study of the wide-ranging manifestations of ageism at multiple levels of analysis including greater attention to human rights and new indicators of ageism, and (4) expand the circle of interdisciplinary and international collaborations within and across communities worldwide with all stakeholders and policymakers. Ageism and other isms are intertwined with and multiplied by population aging and other societal issues such as pandemics and climate crises. This article aims to further sound the alarm for the urgent need for age-friendly societies and addressing ageism through basic research, preventive measures, and intervention efforts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Older Adult Residents in Cohousing Communities: Impact and Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Part 2 (P2) Follow-Up Study

A follow-up cross-sectional study was conducted continuing to explore the experiences of older adults residing in cohousing communities in the United States (U.S.) during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the initial study (P1) most participants did not feel lonely or left out but did feel isolated. In the follow-up study (P2) similar results were obtained but a higher percentage of participants felt isolated and were more likely to have self-isolated at some point in time. Many reported that living in cohousing was beneficial to them, both in providing support and allaying stressors related to the pandemic. © 2023 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.