The first evaluation of a Mobile application to encourage social participation for community-dwelling older adults

Abstract

Both loneliness and social isolation are linked to numerous negative health outcomes and there is no one-size-fits-all solution to reduce that loneliness and social isolation. Therefore, a new social technology (mobile application) which encourages social participation for community-dwelling older adults was developed and deployed. The objective of this study was to assess the usability, end-user experience, and potential added value of this mobile application among community-dwelling older adults. After recruitment and after the weeks of use participants were asked to complete a range of questionnaires, and log-data was gathered to provide information on actual use. Of the 91 older adults who started using the mobile application 41 (80% female, age 73.4 years (SD 7.8)) were willing to participate in this study. On average the application was used for 11 weeks. The usability was acceptable (SUS score of 65.3 (SD18.0)) and 59% of the participants were willing to continue using the application. To conclude, the mobile application to encourage social participation was accepted by community-dwelling older adults and the measured change in quality of life was positive and clinically meaningful. After improving the technology a next step is to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.

The Effects of Technological Interventions on Social Participation of Community-Dwelling Older Adults with and without Dementia: A Systematic Review

“…Studies were published between 2005 and 2020. While 12 studies were published before or in the year 2015 [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 ], 24 studies were published after the year 2015 [ 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 ]. Studies were conducted in 11 different countries, with most of them being conducted in the USA .…”

“…The majority of the included studies used a qualitative study design [ 45 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 57 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 66 , 68 , 69 , 75 , 76 ]. Of the remaining studies, 12 were of quantitative nature [ 46 , 52 , 55 , 56 , 63 , 65 , 67 , 71 , 73 , 74 , 78 , 80 ], and 10 studies were considered as mixed methods studies [ 50 , 51 , 53 , 54 , 58 , 64 , 70 , 72 , 77 , 79 ].…”

“…Within this concept, young adults or students act as mentors and training instructors for older adult participants. Few studies addressed mobile applications [ 65 , 67 , 78 , 80 ] and gaming technology [ 52 , 62 , 75 , 76 ]. The remaining studies examined the effect of: activity-based musical engagement with iPads [ 50 ], a tablet-based language training program [ 77 ], the provision of Internet access [ 53 ], technology-assisted self-monitoring of physical activity [ 71 ], a Personal Reminder Information and Social Management (PRISM) system [ 63 ], and telecare [ 48 ].…”

Problematic Smartphone Use in Spanish and Italian University Students

“…This indicates that, in effect, the device is one of the primary tools for interaction among the student population [37,55,56,85]. The characteristics of the device and the possibilities it offers for the creation of new communication and participation environments make it an especially valuable resource for young people's interpersonal relationships [3,6,42]. In fact, the students generally admitted that they had used their smartphone to reach other people when feeling lonely or isolated, and that it would be harder for their friends to get in touch with them without the device.…”

“…Some of the reasons behind this accelerated process lie in the new forms of communication, information and participation that this new type of device makes possible [3][4][5]. It has been shown that these new forms can be especially useful in aiding community integration [6], transforming and democratizing society [7], boosting business innovation [8], and even improving health [9]. These factors have all contributed to these devices becoming an essential part of our lives and a decisive element for the configuration of new, sustainable societies [10,11].…”