Living Through the COVID-19 Pandemic: Community-Dwelling Older Adults’ Experiences

Xie, Bin; Main, Atami Sagna De; Davis, Nathan; Fingerman, Karen L.; Danesh, Valerie

doi:10.1080/08959420.2021.1962174

Cited by 22 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…We found that sentiments toward technology use during the early weeks of the pandemic were mostly positive, with respondents describing how technology facilitated social connections, allowed them to maintain routines, or helped them adjust to a new way of life. Qualitative studies on the experiences of older adults during the pandemic’s first wave report similar findings, with technology being described as having a facilitative role in allowing older adults to engage in the things that matter most to them despite ongoing restrictions [ 13 - 15 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

The Factors Associated With Nonuse of Social Media or Video Communications to Connect With Friends and Family During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Older Adults: Web-Based Survey Study

Savage¹,

Nicolo

Wu³

et al. 2022

JMIR Aging

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Background Digital technologies have enabled social connection during prolonged periods of physical distancing and travel restrictions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. These solutions may exclude older adults, who are at higher risk for social isolation, loneliness, and severe outcomes if infected with SARS-CoV-2. Objective This study investigated factors associated with nonuse of social media or video communications to connect with friends and family among older adults during the pandemic’s first wave. Methods A web-based, cross-sectional survey was administered to members of a national retired educators’ organization based in Ontario, Canada, between May 6 and 19, 2020. Respondents (N=4879) were asked about their use of social networking websites or apps to communicate with friends and family, their internet connection and smartphone access, loneliness, and sociodemographic characteristics. Factors associated with nonuse were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. A thematic analysis was performed on open-ended survey responses that described experiences with technology and virtual connection. Results Overall, 15.4% (751/4868) of respondents did not use social networking websites or apps. After adjustment, male gender (odds ratio [OR] 1.60, 95% CI 1.33-1.92), advanced age (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.38-2.55), living alone (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.39-2.02), poorer health (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.04-1.71), and lower social support (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.20-1.71) increased the odds of nonuse. The reliability of internet connection and access to a smartphone also predicted nonuse. Many respondents viewed these technologies as beneficial, especially for maintaining pre–COVID-19 social contacts and routines, despite preferences for in-person connection. Conclusions Several factors including advanced age, living alone, and low social support increased the odds of nonuse of social media in older adults to communicate with friends and family during COVID-19’s first wave. Our findings identified socially vulnerable subgroups who may benefit from intervention (eg, improved access, digital literacy, and telephone outreach) to improve social connection.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

The Factors Associated With Nonuse of Social Media or Video Communications to Connect With Friends and Family During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Older Adults: Web-Based Survey Study

Savage¹,

Nicolo

Wu³

et al. 2022

JMIR Aging

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…We found that sentiments toward technology use during the early weeks of the pandemic were mostly positive, with respondents describing how technology facilitated social connections, allowed them to maintain routines, or helped them adjust to a new way of life. Qualitative studies on the experiences of older adults during the pandemic's first wave report similar findings, with technology being described as having a facilitative role in allowing older adults to engage in the things that matter most to them despite ongoing restrictions [13][14][15].…”

Section: Principal Findings and Comparison With Prior Workmentioning

confidence: 91%

The Factors Associated With Nonuse of Social Media or Video Communications to Connect With Friends and Family During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Older Adults: Web-Based Survey Study (Preprint)

Savage¹,

Nicolo²,

Wu³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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BACKGROUND Digital technologies have enabled social connection during prolonged periods of physical distancing and travel restrictions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. These solutions may exclude older adults, who are at higher risk for social isolation, loneliness, and severe outcomes if infected with SARS-CoV-2. OBJECTIVE This study investigated factors associated with nonuse of social media or video communications to connect with friends and family among older adults during the pandemic’s first wave. METHODS A web-based, cross-sectional survey was administered to members of a national retired educators’ organization based in Ontario, Canada, between May 6 and 19, 2020. Respondents (N=4879) were asked about their use of social networking websites or apps to communicate with friends and family, their internet connection and smartphone access, loneliness, and sociodemographic characteristics. Factors associated with nonuse were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. A thematic analysis was performed on open-ended survey responses that described experiences with technology and virtual connection. RESULTS Overall, 15.4% (751/4868) of respondents did not use social networking websites or apps. After adjustment, male gender (odds ratio [OR] 1.60, 95% CI 1.33-1.92), advanced age (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.38-2.55), living alone (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.39-2.02), poorer health (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.04-1.71), and lower social support (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.20-1.71) increased the odds of nonuse. The reliability of internet connection and access to a smartphone also predicted nonuse. Many respondents viewed these technologies as beneficial, especially for maintaining pre–COVID-19 social contacts and routines, despite preferences for in-person connection. CONCLUSIONS Several factors including advanced age, living alone, and low social support increased the odds of nonuse of social media in older adults to communicate with friends and family during COVID-19’s first wave. Our findings identified socially vulnerable subgroups who may benefit from intervention (eg, improved access, digital literacy, and telephone outreach) to improve social connection.

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“…The topics included other forms of the community during COVID-19, such as “oncology community” ( 29 ), “virtual community” ( 30 ), “nursing community” ( 31 ), “deaf community” ( 32 ), “East African community” ( 33 ), and others. Furthermore, 325 records had no strong correlation with epidemic prevention, and the topics included “risks and vulnerabilities” ( 34 ), “community mobility” ( 35 ), “fear effect” ( 36 ), “mental health” ( 37 ), “economic impacts” ( 38 ), “living experiences” ( 39 ), and so on.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global Experiences of Community Responses to COVID-19: A Systematic Literature Review

Zhang²,

Li³

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

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ObjectiveThis study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the global experiences of community responses to the COVID-19 epidemic.MethodFive electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science) were searched for peer-reviewed articles published in English, from inception to October 10, 2021. Two reviewers independently reviewed titles, abstracts, and full texts. A systematic review (with a scientific strategy for literature search and selection in the electronic databases applied to data collection) was used to investigate the experiences of community responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsThis review reported that community responses to COVID-19 consisted mainly of five ways. On the one hand, community-based screening and testing for Coronavirus was performed; on the other hand, the possible sources of transmission in communities were identified and cut off. In addition, communities provided medical aid for patients with mild cases of COVID-19. Moreover, social support for community residents, including material and psychosocial support, was provided to balance epidemic control and prevention and its impact on residents' lives. Last and most importantly, special care was provided to vulnerable residents during the epidemic.ConclusionThis study systematically reviewed how communities to respond to COVID-19. The findings presented some practical and useful tips for communities still overwhelmed by COVID-19 to deal with the epidemic. Also, some community-based practices reported in this review could provide valuable experiences for community responses to future epidemics.

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Living Through the COVID-19 Pandemic: Community-Dwelling Older Adults’ Experiences

Cited by 22 publications

References 36 publications

The Factors Associated With Nonuse of Social Media or Video Communications to Connect With Friends and Family During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Older Adults: Web-Based Survey Study

The Factors Associated With Nonuse of Social Media or Video Communications to Connect With Friends and Family During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Older Adults: Web-Based Survey Study

The Factors Associated With Nonuse of Social Media or Video Communications to Connect With Friends and Family During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Older Adults: Web-Based Survey Study (Preprint)

Global Experiences of Community Responses to COVID-19: A Systematic Literature Review

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