A Technology Training Program to Alleviate Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Homebound Older Adults: A Community Case Study

Abstract

Despite substantial evidence of the negative health consequences of social isolation and loneliness and the outsized impact on older adults, evidence on which interventions are most effective in alleviating social isolation and loneliness is inconclusive. Further complicating the translation of evidence into practice is the lack of studies assessing implementation and scalability considerations for socialization programs delivered by community-based organizations (CBOs). Our primary objective was to describe the implementation barriers, facilitators, and lessons learned from an information and communication technology (ICT) training program aimed at reducing social isolation and loneliness for homebound older adults in a home-delivered meals program. Participants received in-home, one-on-one ICT training lessons delivered by volunteers over a 14-week period with the goal of increasing social technology use. To assess implementation facilitators and barriers, 23 interviews were conducted with program staff (n = 2), volunteers (n = 3), and participants (n = 18). Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Aspects that facilitated implementation included the organization's existing relationship with clientele, an established infrastructure to deliver community-based interventions, alignment of intervention goals with broader organizational aims, and funding to support dedicated program staff. Challenges to implementation included significant program staff time and resources, coordinating data sharing efforts across multiple project partners, participant and volunteer recruitment, and interruptions due to COVID-19. Implications of these facilitators and barriers for scalability of community-based ICT training interventions for older adults are described. Lessons learned include identifying successful participant and volunteer recruitment strategies based on organizational capacity and existing recruitment avenues; using a targeted approach to identify potential participants; incorporating flexibility into intervention design when working with the homebound older adult population; and monitoring the participant-volunteer relationship through volunteer-completed reports to mitigate issues. Findings from this formative evaluation provide insight on strategies CBOs can employ to overcome challenges associated with implementing technology training programs to reduce social isolation and loneliness for older adults, and thus improve overall well-being for homebound older adults. Recommendations can be integrated into program design to facilitate implementation of ICT programs in the community setting.

Use of Digital Tools, Social Isolation, and Lockdown in People 80 Years and Older Living at Home

“…A total of 11 individuals suggested that these workshops should be offered nationwide. This confirms the importance of training OAs to use DTs, which can improve their social inclusion and reduce feelings of loneliness, as reported in the literature [ 19 , 32 ]. Finally, strong arguments must be developed to encourage the oldest individuals to take part, since advanced age was mentioned as a barrier to learning.…”

“…Social isolation refers to the feeling that one does not belong to society, while feeling of loneliness is the impression that one’s social network is poor or is smaller than desired [ 46 ]. In addition to their social effects, social isolation and feelings of loneliness influence physical and mental health, particularly in OAs [ 32 ]. While social isolation affects 6% of OAs ≥ 60 years in France, a feeling of loneliness is reported by 9% of individuals that are aged 60–74 and 17% of OAs ≥ 85 [ 1 ].…”

“…While social isolation affects 6% of OAs ≥ 60 years in France, a feeling of loneliness is reported by 9% of individuals that are aged 60–74 and 17% of OAs ≥ 85 [ 1 ]. Feelings of loneliness and social isolation are associated with reduced physical performance [ 47 ], and a risk of loss of mobility and independence [ 32 , 48 ]. An insufficient social network is associated with a risk of heart disease and stroke through increased active smoking and physical inactivity [ 49 ].…”

“…The perceived quality of life is positively influenced in OAs by a strong social network and negatively influenced by loneliness [ 53 , 54 ]. Finally, social isolation and feelings of loneliness impact morbidity and mortality [ 32 ]. Isolated people appear to be more at risk of premature death and a shorter healthy life expectancy than non-isolated individuals [ 7 ].…”

Links between ease of use, perceived usefulness and attitudes towards technology in older people in university: A structural equation modelling approach

“…Among the aspects mentioned in the theoretical model, the perceived usefulness is one of the influential factors in the acceptance of ICDTs in this group, according to several authors (Tirado-Morueta et al, 2021 ; Canedo-García et al, 2022 ). In addition, the recent events that have occurred in our society after the outbreak of Covid-19 have highlighted the usefulness of ICDTs in older people as a means of avoiding obstracism, increasing social contact, as well as carrying out routine tasks (Jiménez et al, 2021 ). However, the perceived usefulness of ICDT by older people depends on many factors.…”