Background Technology use has become the most critical approach to maintaining social connectedness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Older adults (aged >65 years) are perceived as the most physiologically susceptible population to developing COVID-19 and are at risk of secondary mental health challenges related to the social isolation that has been imposed by virus containment strategies. To mitigate concerns regarding sampling bias, we analyzed a random sample of older adults to understand the uptake and acceptance of technologies that support socialization during the pandemic. Objective We aimed to conduct a population-based assessment of the barriers and facilitators to engaging in the use of technology for web-based socialization among older adults in the Canadian province of British Columbia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional, population-based, regionally representative survey by using the random-digit dialing method to reach participants aged >65 years who live in British Columbia. Data were analyzed using SPSS (IBM Corporation), and open-text responses were analyzed via thematic analysis. Results Respondents included 400 older adults aged an average of 72 years, and 63.7% (n=255) of respondents were female. Most respondents (n=358, 89.5%) were aware of how to use technology to connect with others, and slightly more than half of the respondents (n=224, 56%) reported that, since the beginning of the pandemic, they used technology differently to connect with others during the pandemic. Additionally, 55.9% (n=223) of respondents reported that they adopted new technology since the beginning of the pandemic. Older adults reported the following key barriers to using technology: (1) a lack of access (including finance-, knowledge-, and age-related issues); (2) a lack of interest (including a preference for telephones and a general lack of interest in computers); and (3) physical barriers (resultant of cognitive impairments, stroke, and arthritis). Older adults also reported the following facilitators: (1) a knowledge of technologies (from self-teaching or external courses); (2) reliance on others (family, friends, and general internet searches); (3) technology accessibility (including appropriate environments, user-friendly technology, and clear instructions); and (4) social motivation (everyone else is doing it). Conclusions Much data on older adults’ use of technology are limited by sampling biases, but this study, which used a random sampling method, demonstrated that older adults used technology to mitigate social isolation during the pandemic. Web-based socialization is the most promising method for mitigating potential mental health effects that are related to virus containment strategies. Providing telephone training; creating task lists; and implementing the facilitators described by participants, such as facilitated socialization activities, ar...
Purpose Older cancer survivors are among the most vulnerable to the negative effects of COVID-19 and may need specific survivorship supports that are unavailable/restricted during the pandemic. The objective of this study was to explore how older adults (≥ 60 years) who were recently (≤ 12 months) discharged from the care of their cancer team were coping during the pandemic. Methods We used a convergent mixed method design (QUAL+quan). Quantitative data were collected using the Brief-COPE questionnaire. Qualitative data were collected using telephone interviews to explore experiences and strategies for coping with cancer-related concerns. Results The mean sample age (n = 30) was 72.1 years (SD 5.8, range 63–83) of whom 57% identified as female. Participants’ Brief-COPE responses indicated that they commonly used acceptance (n = 29, 96.7%), self-distraction (n = 28, 93.3%), and taking action (n = 28, 93.3%) coping strategies. Through our descriptive thematic analysis, we identified three themes: (1) drawing on lived experiences, (2) redeploying coping strategies, and (3) complications of cancer survivorship in a pandemic. Participants’ coping strategies were rooted in experiences with cancer, other illnesses, life, and work. Using these strategies during the pandemic was not new—they were redeployed and repurposed—although using them during the pandemic was sometimes complicated. These data were converged to maximize interpretation of the findings. Conclusions Study findings may inform the development or enhancement of cancer and non-cancer resources to support coping, particularly using remote delivery methods within and beyond the pandemic. Clinicians can engage a strengths-based approach to support older cancer survivors as they draw from their experiences, which contain a repository of potential coping skills.
Purpose: Although the year after cancer treatment is challenging for all cancer survivors, older adults (≥60 years) face additional challenges due to age-related decline and high rates of comorbidity. There is a paucity of research on how health service interruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted the experience of older cancer survivors. In this study we explore older cancer survivors' reflections on the pandemic and their suggestions for future care delivery when traditionally offered resources are not available. Methods: We conducted 1:1 telephone interviews with adults 60 years and older previously diagnosed with breast and colorectal cancer and recently (≤12 months) discharged from their cancer care team. We analyzed the data using descriptive thematic analysis. Results: The mean sample (n = 30) age was 72.1 years (SD 5.8, Range 63-83) of whom 57% identified as female. Participants described personal and societal implications of the pandemic. that affected their ability to navigate social support, and public and clinical landscapes. These reflections informed their suggestions for future health care delivery, such as how they could have been better prepared to selfmanage their post-cancer treatment journey. Participants recommendations were grouped into four sub-themes: 1) enhanced baseline information; 2) facilitate caregiver support and engagement; 3) greater technology integration; and 4) sustained use and public appreciation of personal protective equipment. Conclusion: Older cancer survivors appreciate the needed shift to virtual appointments and services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific strategies to bolster older adults existing strengths and improve their readiness to engage in these measures are critical.
Indicators specific to, or more common among, migrants were informative in assessing the likelihood of emergency cesarean. The risk associated with being uninsured, day of delivery, income, and immigration class suggests the importance of considering non-biomedical factors in reducing the need for emergency cesarean among migrants.
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