Social isolation and loneliness in older adults are associated with poor health outcomes and have been linked to an increased risk of cognitive impairment and incident dementia. Social engagement has been identified as a key factor in promoting positive health behaviors and quality of life and preventing social isolation and loneliness. Studies involving cognitively healthy older adults have shown the protective effects of both in-person and technology-based social engagement. However, the benefits of social engagement for people who are already at-risk of developing dementia, namely those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), have yet to be elucidated. We present a narrative review of the literature, summarizing the research on social engagement in MCI. First, we identified social networks (quality, size, frequency, and closeness) and social activities (frequency, format, purpose, type, and content) as two overarching dimensions of an integrative framework for social engagement derived from literature examining typical cognitive aging. We then used this framework as a lens to examine studies of social engagement in MCI to explore (i) the relationship between in-person and technology-based social engagement and cognitive, emotional, and physical health, and (ii) interventions that target social engagement including technology-based approaches. Overall, we found that persons with MCI (PwMCI) may have different levels of social engagement than those experiencing typical cognitive aging. Moreover, in-person social engagement can have a positive impact on cognitive, emotional, and physical health for PwMCI. With respect to activity and network dimensions in our framework, we found that cognitive health has been more widely examined in PwMCI relative to physical and emotional health. Very few intervention studies have targeted social engagement, but both in-person and technology-based interventions appear to have promising health and well-being outcomes. Our multidimensional framework of social engagement provides guidance for research on characterizing the protective benefits of social engagement for PwMCI and informs the development of novel interventions including technology-based approaches.

Growing evidence suggests alterations in cognitive control processes in individuals with varying degrees of age-related hearing loss (ARHL); however, alterations in those with unaided mild ARHL are understudied. The current study examined two cognitive control processes, cognitive flexibility, and inhibition, in 21 older adults with unaided mild ARHL and 18 age- and education-matched normal hearing (NH) controls. All participants underwent comprehensive audiological and cognitive evaluations including Trail Making Test-B, Verbal Fluency, Stroop, and two Go/NoGo tasks. Group differences in cognitive flexibility and inhibition as well as associations between peripheral and central hearing ability and measures of cognitive flexibility and inhibition were investigated. Findings revealed that the ARHL group took significantly longer to complete the Stroop task and had higher error rates on NoGo trials on both Go/NoGo tasks relative to the NH controls. Additionally, poorer peripheral and central hearing were associated with poorer cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control. Our findings suggest slower and more inefficient inhibitory control in the mild ARHL group relative to the NH group and add to decades of research on the association between hearing and cognition.

Social engagement technologies have the potential to benefit health and quality of life in older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, technologies are rarely designed to accommodate the interests, capabilities, and limitations of these populations. In the current study, we focused on examining the potential of video chat to socially engage older adults with and without MCI by providing opportunities to link people with shared interests. Eight cognitively normal older adults (Mage: 73.3 years) and five with MCI (Mage: 70.0 years) completed a four-week experiential field trial using a novel online video chat platform called OneClick. System Usability Scale scores at both pre- and post-assessment revealed that OneClick was easy to use for older adults with and without MCI, however individuals with MCI experienced more technical issues and required additional assistance to use the system. Pre- to post- comparisons of questionnaire data revealed positive changes for the Quality of Life, Friendship/Social Isolation, and Loneliness scales in both groups. Of the 13 participants, five cognitively normal and four individuals with MCI reported that they would be interested in continuing to use the video chat system at home to connect with family and friends or to discuss topics of mutual interests. Overall, all participants enjoyed using the video chat system as a means for social engagement and showed trends for social health and quality of life benefits. This field trial illustrates the potential for video chat to provide social engagement opportunities for older adults with and without cognitive impairment.

Older adults aging with cognitive impairments face a variety of challenges related to their memory, thinking, and concentration in their everyday activities. Understanding their lived experiences s critical to inform the development of technology and supports that can help everyday activities and improve quality of life. We have designed an in-depth interview study to explore the everyday challenges of older adults with cognitive impairments and their response strategies. We will present two case studies to illustrate the richness of the data and its value for guiding intervention design: (1) one older adult with a post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) and (2) one older adult with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). As expected, these individuals reported challenges in different functional activities and described varying solution strategies. The older adult with PSCI noted challenges with completing steps and remembering things when engaging with technology-mediated social activities. This individual reported responding to these challenges by having their own method, such as writing things down or receiving assistance from others. Challenges the older adult with MCI experienced when engaging with technology-mediated social activities, long-distance travel, and caregiving were planning, completing steps, remembering things, and experiencing emotions. This individual responded to their challenges by developing visualizations, methods, routine, and receiving assistance from others. These initial insights about the range of challenges with everyday activities and response strategies highlight the value of qualitative needs assessments in understanding the needs of those aging with cognitive impairment to guide future technology and support.

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